E Paper June-July 2012

The Indian Down Under PO Box 99 Thornleigh NSW 2120 Ph (02) 9875 2713 Mobile: 0414 155 402
Email: indiandownunder@gmail.com
VOL 24 No. 6
Print Post Publication No. 23572300014
Annual Subscription incl. postage & handling $17 Newsagencies
$1 inc GST
June - July 2012
Free at Indian Outlets
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
12: TIDU interviews Radhika, Amer,
Gurmeet and Mahima who went on
a trip down under with ABC pre-
senter Joe Hildebrand to find out
and analyse the stereotypes they
have of Australia
18: Teigan Llyod-Evans wins SBS
Bollywood Star competition
21: Neeru Saluja talks to Malaika
Arora Khan at IFF 2012
28: Census 2011 proves Harris
Park is the Little India of
Australia
44: Is beauty only skin-deep?
Are they really ?
Amer, Mahima, Radhika and
Gurmeet with Joe Hildebrand
02 THE INDIAN DOWN UNDER June - July 2012
June - July 2012 THE INDIAN DOWN UNDER 03
Media Sponsor:
Editor's Letter
Editorial/Advertising Enquiries: 02 9875 2713
Postal Address: PO Box 99, Thornleigh NSW 2120.
Email: indiandownunder@gmail.com
Website: www.indiandownunder.com.au
EDITORIAL
Principal Editor: Vijay Badhwar
Associate Editor: Neena Badhwar
North America : Parveen Chopra
Correspondent
Sports Editor: Kersi Meher-Homji
Delhi Reporter: Ritu Ghai
WRITERS
Third Eye: Rekha Bhattacharjee
Political Columns: Karam Ramrakha, Mallika
Ganesan
Films and Art: Neeru Saluja, Abhishek Sood,
Monica Daswani, Sumi Krishnan, Devaki
Parthasarthy, Neena Badhwar, Rekha Rajvanshi
Body-Mind-Spirit: Dr Sunder Das, Kanaka
Ramakrishna, Faith Harper, T Selva, Dilip Mahanty
Sport: Kersi Meher-Homji, Dilip Mahanty
Fiji Diary: Karam Ramrakha
Cookery: Promila Gupta
Children Section: Esther Chudhary-Lyons
Classical Music: Sumi Krishnan, Kris Raman,
Lokesh Varma
Travel: Vijay Badhwar, Kris Raman
Humour: Melvin Durai, Santram Bajaj
Seniors Column: Santram Bajaj
Beauty: Devaki Parthasarthy
Community: Neena Badhwar, Kersi Meher-Homji,
Vijay Badhwar, Sumi Krishnan, Neeru Saluja,
Savitha Narayan
Photographers: Neelesh Kale, Raj Suri and Jordan
Anjaiya
Graphic Design: Nayanesh Gandhi, Dinesh Verma,
(Bhagwati Multimedia) Bharat Bhushan Chopra
Subscription Coupon
Name
...............................................
Address.....................................
...............................................
...............................................
Post Code ................................
Annual Subscription $17 including
GST, postage & handling.
Send to TheIndian Down Under,
PO Box 99,
Thorhleigh NSW 2120
T
here has been so much
hype against the carbon
tax introduced on July 1,
its dissection into minute detail,
peoples opinion and polls as if
its impact would have been felt
the moment clock hit 12. It was
like opinions and predictions
before crossing the sound barrier
- that the moment an aeroplane
hit the speed of sound, there
would be a bang, an explosion,
destruction all around.
Is it good or bad to have car-
bon tax? In a similar vein, is it
good or bad to pay sewerage
rates? Are we allowed to pollute
freely; is the industry allowed to
pump their waste into the river
or the sea? If not, how do we
expect not to be regulated, not to
be taxed to pollute the air and
control the emissions.
The argument against the
carbon tax is that other countries
are not controlling their emis-
sions. Why should Australia,
then, impose the tax on its citi-
zens, make the cost of energy
dearer and also be uncompetitive
in the world market.
The fact, however, is that all
developed nations are instituting
stricter emissions controls,
including the US who have more
stringent industry standards than
Australia. As for other develop-
ing nations, they argue that
Australia is the highest emitter of
carbon per capita in the air.
Australia, by taking the ini-
tiative to reduce the emissions, is
encouraging innovation to pro-
duce more efficient energy.
There is justifiable debate
whether carbon tax should be
fixed on price per tonne of
carbon - $23, or there should be
emissions trading scheme to
allow more flexibility. The latter
option is harder to implement
and the discussion is prolonged
that will do any government
more political damage. There is
also political reality that the
Greens who have the balance of
power will never support the
emissions trading scheme.
The Coalition offers the
alternative of direct action to
give incentives to industry to be
more efficient to reduce emis-
sions. The Labor Government
argues that those incentives will
have to come from the pockets of
normal households. This is con-
trary to the Government policy
of taxing the polluters to give
money to households.
The Gillard Government
hopes that the demon of Carbon
tax that Tony Abbott has been
creating will soon fizzle out as
most of the people will find out
that they have been well compen-
sated for increased living costs.
There is a dual purpose to
the Carbon tax of redistribution
of wealth from the rich to the
ones below the line as with two
other reforms that have been
introduced on July 1. The mining
tax and the private health insur-
ance rebate means test are direct
actions in favour of the under-
privileged to bring fairness and
equity in the society. This is to
be applauded.
M
eanwhile, in India the
mix of good and bad
news continued as
before. First the good news:
Pranab Mukherjee, till recently
the Union Finance Minister, is
slated to become the 13th
President of India. Though BJP
and a handful of other parties are
supporting the candidature of PA
Sangma, that is ill-advertised.
United Progressive Alliance
(UPA) nominee supported by
even some parties of the opposi-
tion National Democratic
Alliance, Pranab da will win
handily by a wide margin. He
has a clean image and is widely
respected in political circles.
Congress party is now finding it
difficult to find somebody to fill
in for him. Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh has himself
taken the finance portfolio for
the time being.
And that is part of the bad
news. Just when Indias economy
is seen as weakening more than
anticipated, Pranab Da is not
there as a full fledged finance
minister to do course correction.
Indias economic boom, which
was resilient enough to shrug off
the global financial crisis, is
beginning to falter, hampered by
stubbornly high inflation and
years of political paralysis, econ-
omists and business leaders say.
The inflation has hit the middle
and particularly the lower class
real bad, which can lead to social
unrest.
Worse, the confidence of the
foreign has been dented. In the
absence of vocational training for
the millions of young people
entering workforce, the demo-
graphic dividend is feared to
become demographic disaster.
The worst of all is, that in the
absence of vocational training for
the millions of young people
entering the workforce, Indias
much touted demographic divi-
dend can turn into demographic
disaster.
Manmohan Singh has made
some noises that there is no
political paralysis and the
required remedies will push up
the growth rate. Though he was
the originator of the economic
reforms in the first place as
finance minister, now he is
increasingly seen as having run
out of steam.
Hurt from carbon tax for better future
The argument against the carbon tax is that other
countries are not controlling their emissions. Why
should Australia, then, impose the tax on its
citizens, make the cost of energy dearer and
also be uncompetitive in the world market.
A powerhouse seems less powerful: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and
Sonia Gandhi, president of the Congress Party, face numerous challenges.
Come July 19, and India will welcome Pranab
Mukherjee as the 13th President.
Interview
By Aparna Vats
I
recently had the opportunity to speak
with the leader of the opposition,
Tony Abbott, in our Paddington based
Radio station. Ready to take on the chal-
lenge of discovering the man, the person-
ality behind the job, this exercise
announced to me loud and clear that
politicians are people, too; they have likes
and dislikes, and most importantly, per-
sonalities. So a word to the wise: don't
judge, overlook or underestimate.
The fact that he is an author of three
books makes us aware of his scholarly
attributes. Then, as a Jesuit he has trav-
elled to India. We also learn about his
sense of vocation developed as a Rhodes
Scholar, his thoughts about the amazing,
magical land called India; his vision and
acknowledgement of the contributions of
the Indian community in Australia.
Here are some highlights from the
interview:
You went to India around the year
1984?
Tony: No! It was 1981. I had just fin-
ished the college of law in June. I was
going to England to start some studies at
Oxford University in October. I thought,
well, India is on the way to England, its
a fascinating country. Id like to spend
some time there, so I had almost three
months roaming around India. I had basi-
cally a month wandering from Bombay,
up through Rajasthan, through Delhi and
into Kashmir and back across to Bihar. In
Bihar, I spent two months with the
Australian Jesuit Mission in India.
Fascinating time! Bit of time in Hazaari
Bagh, some time out in the hill country
where the Adivasis were and the
Australian Jesuits were working out there.
And then I came back to Mumbai for a
week before heading off to Oxford. So it
was a really interesting time and, I guess,
the thing that impressed me about India
even then is that it was a very economi-
cally and technologically sophisticated
country. I can remember on my first or
second day in Mumbai going past a
nuclear power plant, which Australia had
none and India did have one. Sure, there
might have been bullock carts going into
the nuclear power plant. It was still, for
an Australian, a custom to think of India
in those days as a fairly poor country. It
was interesting to think that India had
nuclear power and Australia didnt.
So what is your fondest memory from
that trip?
Tony: Well, I suppose the memory
that is most with me, is of the time with
the Jesuits there and I was mixing with
both Australian and Indian Jesuits and the
extraordinary efforts that they were mak-
ing to lift people up from poverty into
some kind, of what we would say now, I
guess, is a middle class existence. But the
interesting thing is that even then the
Indian Middle class was quite large.
Whats happened since then is that its
grown exponentially and its become
much wealthier and India itself has gone
from being a relatively poor country to
being really quite a wealthy country. This
is one of the great transformations of
world history. We tend to focus on the
transformation of China but the transfor-
mation of India is virtually as substantial
and the great thing about India, at least
from an Australian context, is that India is
democracy, India speaks widely the
English language and it has the rule of law
which really makes India, I think, a very
prospective country in terms of close rela-
tions with Australia. A country that has
such amazing potential to influence the
wider world in the years to come.
Shifting from politics, may I ask,
what kind of music do you listen to?
Tony: Umm, mostly what many of
your listeners would probably think of as
Golden Oldies -the music of the 1960s
and early seventies, the Beach Boys, Elvis
Presley, the big O Roy Orbison. My
kids think I am very, very old fashioned,
and I said to them once when they accused
me of being hopelessly old fashioned
what about Savage Garden? And they said
but dad that was so nineties...(laughs).
And, does Indian music feature in
anything at all, in your iPod collection?
Tony: I am afraid it doesnt really
Aha! I need to fix that then
Tony: Yeah! Look in my three
months in India I spent a lot of time lis-
tening to Indian music obviously; but its
not something that I have yet taken to. I
watched quite a few Bollywood movies
over there, and again, not something that
I have yet taken to. But, you know, the
interesting thing is that modern India is
absolutely holding its own in what might
be thought of as wider Western or wider
English speaking culture. I mean there
have been quite a few Booker Prizes won
by Indian authors in recent times. I think,
if I may say so, India itself is moving
beyond the Bollywood phase, if I may be
so bold to suggest that.
So heres a suggestion for you: you
know the song Jai Ho from the Oscar
winning movie Slumdog Millionaire.
Have you heard that song?
Tony: Look, I watched the movie so I
must have heard the song. I have got to
say it was a really enthralling movie, con-
fronting, but nevertheless enthralling.
You could then perhaps use Jai Ho
as your campaign song, you know in the
off chance you take it on board.
Tony: Not a bad thought.(laughs).
How about the Indian food?
Tony: Yeah! Well there is a restaurant
called the New Indian Times in Bantry
Bay Road, Frenchs Forest, which is
probably the restaurant which more regu-
larly supplies the Abbott household than
any other. I developed a real taste for
Indian food not just in India but when I
was then subsequently a student in
England it was probably the best way to
get an economical decent meal in England
at that time. Incredibly tasty and a palat-
able feast!
If you had an opportunity to cook,
which Indian dish would you make?
Tony: I would probably have a go at
Bombay Beef or maybe a Lamb Madras;
theres butter chicken which is.. (laughs)
one of the favourites of the Abbott
household.
You have done something called an
ultra-marathon. Do you still do it?
Tony: Look, I was lucky enough to
get to do the Port Macquarie Iron Man in
2010. I havent done a full Iron Man since
then. Although I have some hopes of
doing one later in the year in Western
Australia. I dont think people should be
as impressed as all that because I didnt do
a particularly flash time; I just thought to
myself it would be a marvellous feather in
your cap to do it. And the important thing
once you decide to do it is not to push
yourself too much but just to finish. So I
was more of a participant than a competi-
tor. I have got to say that when I went
down the tunnel at the end of almost 14
hours of swimming, riding and jogging I
was a very happy man!
Did you pick up any Hindi while you
were in India?
Tony: Chai.( laughs heartily).
Yes, it is the most important word to
know Tony (both laugh).
In closing Tony, no further ques-
tions, open platform, what would you
like to say to our fabulous audience?
Tony: Please continue to make the
most of your life in Australia. Please
cherish the heritage you brought to this
country. And please continue to be confi-
dent that your old heritage and your new
heritage have so much in common.
(Aparna Vats is a well known broad-
caster on Voice of India Monika
Geetmala 89.7 FM Sundays 10am -
7pm.)
The real Tony Abbott
The author with Tony Abbot, Australian Leader of the Opposition.
We tend to focus on the transformation of China but the transformation of India
is virtually as substantial and the great thing about India, at least from an
Australian context, is that India is democracy, India speaks widely the English
language and it has the rule of law which really makes India, I think, a very
prospective country in terms of close relations with Australia.
Julia Gillard set to lead Labor fight back
By Rekha Bhattacharjee
For Julia Gillard, the die has been cast.
W
ith new poll figures not showing
any significant sign of going north
in the near future, Julia Gillard led
Labor party is throwing in everything as
they hit the hustings with new vigour.
Labor has committed funds for an adver-
tisement campaign, handout cheques are
being delivered to the traditional Labor mail-
boxes and there is a perceivable change in
the Labor strategy. This is a definite sign of
a political outfit gaining confidence in itself.
The weeks after carbon tax kicks in on
July 1 would be crucial to determine
whether Julia Gillards recovery strategy is
plausible or the Labor is, as most political
pundits would like us to believe, in a termi-
nal mode.
It would not be the first time in the 120
years or so history of Labor party that they
are looking at certain annihilation in the
Federal polling. But the die-hard Labor
backer has not lost hope of a recovery under
Julia Gillard.
As a political commentator pointed out
recently, Labor has repeatedly demonstrat-
ed its resilience and adaptability in emerging
from lacerating splits, demoralising defeats
and philosophical tussles.
The signs of a comeback were visible
aplenty when Julia Gillard confronted a bar-
rage of difficult questions in a recent Q&A
program on ABC TV with a dignified poise
and transparency which is so conspicuously
missing in the modern day Parliamentarians.
The television screens during the afore-
mentioned Q&A program were flooded with
Tweets gushing over the new Julia Gillard.
It is being seen as a turnaround by many of
the Australian PM followers.
Tony Abbotts recent antics in the
Parliament have also helped in the changing
perception over the preferred Prime
Minister. The fact that Labor has changed
strategy while dealing with the Coalition
shortcomings has also registered on
Australian mindsets sickened by Tony
Abbotts negativity.
The conservatives leader in the Federal
Parliament has been relentless in his attacks
on the embattled MP Craig Thomson. There
is a widespread conviction that Tony Abbott
is insensitive to the basic decencies one
should extend to the fellow politicians, for-
get commoners. Labor, on the other hand,
did pretty well in not persisting on a frontal
attack on Tony Abbotts embarrassing flight
from the chambers. Instead of overplaying
the Opposition gaffes, Labor is focussing on
holding the political foes to account for
spreading canards about the impact of the
carbon prince after July 1.
The changing of tacks was also notice-
able in the Q&A when Julia Gillard did not
mention the Coalition even once in her
intense interaction with the audience.
In comparison, as many commentators
have been pointing out, Tony Abbott has
made negativity cornerstone of the Coalition
policy platform.
The Opposition leader has been inces-
santly deriding the Labor Government and
demeaning Julia Gillard personally. Tony
Abbott has been at his negative best when
attacking carbon tax, NBN, mining tax and
the Labor management of the economy.
The way Tony Abbott has been allowed
to go on downplaying Australian manage-
ment of economic matters is surprising as all
antipodeans should be celebrating the way
we have weathered GFC with so many posi-
tives.
After all, is it not a great economic news
that while OECD countries like Spain and
Greece are experiencing unemployment rates
around 25% (even higher in the youth),
Australia has managed to keep it around
amazing 5%? Australians should be relishing
strong growth, low inflation, falling interest
rates and good jobs data.
The outlook is, Labor leaders should be
arguing, equally rosy as the Australian econ-
omy has got a tick in the shape of a renewed
triple A rating by Moody and there is a mas-
sive investment in the pipeline. The RBA is
on a song and so is the Federal Government.
The Labor leaders should be asking their
Conservative counterparts what exactly is
wrong with the Australian economy and how
they would change inarguably one of the
best economies in the world.
Probably the most candid description of
the Australian economy has come from a
2011 book The Sweet Spot How Australia
made its own luck - and could now throw it
all away written by Peter Hartcher.
Australians created the sweet spot for
themselves, Peter Hartcher writes. The
country needs to know that circa 2010-11, it
offers the best living conditions available on
the planet. Not because it started out that
way, and not because of the mining boom,
but through building, through reforms and
through intelligent public-spirited leadership.
And, yes, through a little luck, the book
reads.
But as Donald Horne warned, relying
on luck is an invitation to complacency. And
complacency is a dreadful problem solver,
he writes. If Australia is to have a golden
future, it will not be gilded with the sort of
gold that is discovered by digging deeper
holes in the ground. The necessary gold is
not to be found in the countrys pits but in
its wits, Peter Hartcher concludes.
But who would stop the sliding Labor
fortunes? Not many would concur with this
assertion but Julia Gillard would be the
Labors best bet when polls are called next
year.
Julia Gillard has been fighting an uphill
battle with her back stuck perilously to the
wall ever since she wrested the leadership
from Kevin Rudd.
Gareth Evans honoured
By Rekha Bhattacharjee
G
areth Evans was made a
Companion of the Order of
Australia on 11 June 2012
for eminent service to interna-
tional relations, particularly in the
Asia Pacific region, as an adviser
to governments on global policy
matters, to conflict prevention and
resolution, and to arms control and
disarmament.
To the Australian community
Gareth Evans is known as the emi-
nent Australian Foreign Minister
(1988 -1996). He has written or
edited nine books and now has
been Chancellor of the Australian
National University since January
2010 and a Professorial Fellow at
the University of Melbourne since
July 2009. In December 2011
Foreign Policy magazine cited him
as one of the Top Global Thinkers
for 2011 for making the responsi-
bility to protect more than aca-
demic.
In May 2010 Gareth Evans
was awarded the 2010 Franklin
and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute
Four Freedoms Award for
Freedom from Fear, for his pio-
neering work on the Responsibility
to Protect concept and his contri-
butions to conflict prevention and
resolution, arms control and disar-
mament.
Gareth Evans has a soft corner
for India. In his student days he
had travelled around India by train
and had much respect for
Narasimha Rao as the foreign min-
ister.
On the 50th Anniversary of
Indias Independence he had writ-
ten an article in the Indian Post, a
monthly published in Australia for
the Indian community, India: a
fine 50 with an even better century
coming. The following is a part
of his article.
Those who love and admire
India and there are many around
the world are looking forward to
the last strike of midnight ushering
in 15 August this year. Fifty years
ago, at that moment, India awoke
to life and Freedom, in the
words of its first Prime Minister,
Jawaharlal Nehru. At a stroke,
two centuries of European domina-
tion came to an end and a new
nation was born. Not that the
struggle and hardship ended. The
challenges changed but at least
they were Indian challenges.
I spent many months travel-
ling around India as a young man
- in rather less style than was later
the case as Foreign Minister!
And have been captivated by the
country ever since. So Indias fifti-
eth birthday is one that, personal-
ly, I am absolutely delighted to
celebrate.
This is a time to reflect on
the magnificent achievements of
India and its people since August
1947.
India, in the face of so many
challenges and difficulties, has
managed over these years to main-
tain a robust and very open
democracy, a strong and independ-
ent judicial system and a society
remarkably cohesive for all its
diversity. In recent years per-
haps a little belatedly, but no less
welcome for that it has put in
place an economic platform that is
now achieving the growth and
prosperity its people so richly
deserve. All that is needed now
for India to fully realise its poten-
tial is a long period of stable and
effective political leadership.
In the next 50 years, India
unquestionably will be able to
draw upon its great traditions, tal-
ents and strengths to create a great
future for itself and its people,
winning in full measure the
respect and admiration of the rest
of the international community.
It is set to achieve magnifi-
cently in its next 50 years of inde-
pendence, and beyond trans-
forming itself for the future with-
out losing the best of its past. The
international fellowship of Indias
friends among whom I am
delighted to count myself - will
watch with admiration and affec-
tion. We congratulate Prof
Gareth Evans on the highest hon-
our conferred on him (although
hes a Republican at heart!)
The former Australian foreign minister
and a global thinker who has a soft corner
for India, has been made a Companion
of the Order of Australia.
The signs of a Labor
comeback were visible
when Julia Gillard con-
fronted difficult ques-
tions in a recent Q&A
program on ABC TV with
a dignified poise and
transparency. Tony
Abbotts antics in
Parliament have also
helped in the changing
perception over the pre-
ferred PM.
The Third Eye by Rekha Bhattacharjee
Analysis
India
Indian economy starts to slow down, but PM promises cures
New Delhi: Indias economic boom, which
was resilient enough to shrug off the global
financial crisis, is beginning to falter, ham-
pered by stubbornly high inflation and years
of political paralysis, economists and busi-
ness leaders say.
In developments that parallel events in
the other Asian powerhouse, neighboring
China, rising prices have forced the govern-
ment to steadily tighten monetary policy.
Interest rates rose for the 10th time in 16
months last week.
But business leaders are unhappy. They
say the medicine could be making the eco-
nomic situation worse.
Much of the inflation in India is a func-
tion of higher oil and food prices, factors
that respond poorly, if at all, to higher
interest rates. Instead of depending on the
central bank, the government needs to push
through the kind of agricultural reforms and
investment it has been talking about for
years, analysts say.
Government policy should be focused
on improving agricultural productivity, but
because that isnt happening, the burden is
falling more and more on monetary policy,
said Sanjay Mathur, Royal Bank of
Scotlands Asia emerging markets economist
in Singapore. Consequently, a number of
sectors that shouldnt be getting hurt are
getting hurt.
That means growth could fall back
toward 7 percent, some economists warn,
still faster than that of any major economy
except China but below what India could
achieve and needs, if it is to pull hun-
dreds of millions of people out of poverty.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has
taken the reins of Finance Ministry after
Pranab Mukherjee resigned as finance min-
ister on filing his nomination for President.
Singh has sought to assure investors of
every step, including reforms, to restore
confidence on India while also hoping for
higher growth, lower inflation and correc-
tion in the depreciating rupee.
"We need foreign investment - both
portfolio and direct investment," he told
reporters on his way back from G20 and
Rio+20 summits in Mexico and Brazil,
when asked about the ratings downgrade of
India. "If there are any obstacles which
come in the way, and if there are any policy
impediments, we will address them effec-
tively and credibly," the prime minister
added, when asked about the perception of
policy paralysis in India.
"There are problems with regard to the
fiscal management. We will tackle that
problem effectively and credibly. There are
problems with regard to management of the
balance of payments deficit on the current
account. Those problems also we will tack-
le," Singh said.
The prime minister also felt that there
was no sign of any serious threat to the
Indian economy even as he felt the RBI was
competent to act on interest rates, inflation
and the value of the rupee.
"There is no stagflation. There is a
slowing down. I am still confident that we
can ensure that the growth rate of the econ-
omy in the rest of the year will improve to
about 7 per cent per annum," he said.
"A lot of things that are not going right
they have their origins outside India. The
2008 financial crisis affected our growth.
Our growth rate fell from 9 per cent to 6.7
per cent," he said.
At Rio, India blames it on rich nations, but content overall
Rio de Janeiro: As the Earth Summit began
June 20, India had reasons to be happy,
with its main concerns addressed in the
draft of the declaration to be adopted by the
90 global leaders here, but felt let down by
rich nations for lack of commitment in fund-
ing green programs.
"One significant development has been
the restoration of the centrality of the prin-
ciple of common but differentiated responsi-
bilities," said India's Environment Minister
Jayanthi Natarajan, who was assisting Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh at what is called
the Rio+20 Summit.
Her reference was to the demands of
poor and developing economies that rich
countries, which are seen as having been
primarily responsible for the present envi-
ronmental degradation, must share a greater
burden in restoring the health of our planet.
"Equity and its manifestation -- the prin-
ciple of common but differentiated responsi-
bilities -- are at the heart of international
cooperation for sustainable development.
We are glad that we have collectively
agreed on this key issue," Natarajan said.
But India felt saddened by the lack of
firm commitment by the rich nations on
how to fund schemes, technologies and pro-
grammes that will make planet Earth green-
er and promote growth and inclusion in a
sustainable manner.
But that was not expected given the cur-
rent global economic crisis.
"While we remain disappointed with the
weak political will in developed countries to
provide enhanced means of implementation
to developing countries, we are glad we
have agreed to set up two important mecha-
nisms -- one for technology transfer and
another for finance," Natarajan said.
"Both were Indian proposals and
received strong support from G77 countries,
including those from Africa, the least devel-
oped countries and small island-states. We
are now keen to collectively ensure these
mechanisms are operationalised and deliv-
ered effectively for developing countries."
At the Summit, India also sought to
point out the dichotomy between the envi-
ronmental concerns of the rich countries and
those of the poor and developing
economies, particularly since the latter were
being asked to reverse the consequences of
what had been done earlier by the developed
world.
Manmohan Singh with other world leaders at the G 20 summit in Mexico.
Sangma in ring, but Pranab set
to enter Rashtrapati Bhavan
New Delhi: United Progressive
Alliance (UPA) candidate Pranab
Mukherjee has filed his nomina-
tion for the July 19 presidential
poll and sought the "blessing of
god and cooperation of all" to get
elected to the country's highest
office.
In what was turned into a
show of strength, leaders of most
UPA allies, except for the
Trinamool Congress, were pres-
ent. Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh, Congress president Sonia
Gandhi, Samajwadi Party (SP)
chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and
Rashtriya Janata Dal's (RSD)
Lalu Prasad were amongst those
who witnessed the ceremony.
"I only wish at this time that
we have the blessing of god and
cooperation of all at this junc-
ture," Mukherjee told reporters
after filing his nomination at the
Rajya Sabha secretariat.
As a candidate for the 14th
presidential election, he said he
was being supported by a "large
number of parties who are sup-
porting UPA government like
Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj
Party" as well as by other parties
who did not support the govern-
ment. Listing the Janata Dal-
United (JD-U), Communist Party
of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and the
Shiv Sena, he said: "I am grateful
to them as they have reposed
faith in me to occupy the office
which was occupied in past by
great stalwarts of this country."
Opposition candidate P.A.
Sangma, who is supported by the
BJP, the AIADMK and the Biju
Janata Dal, has also filed his
nomination.
UPA candidate Pranab
Mukherjee has wide support to
become Indias 13th President
Sunita Williams heading back to space again
Washington, DC: Indian-American
astronaut Sunita Williams is all set
to return to the International Space
Station, where she spent a record
six months in 2006.
Daughter of an Indian American
father from Gujarat and a Slovenian
mother, Williams is currently mak-
ing final preparations for a July 14
launch from the Baikonur
Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan,
according to a NASA announce-
ment.
She will be a flight engineer on
the station's Expedition 32 with
Flight Engineers Yuri Malenchenko
of the Russian Federal Space
Agency and Akihiko Hoshide of the
Japan Aerospace Exploration
Agency. On reaching the space sta-
tion she will take over as com-
mander of Expedition 33.
Williams and her colleagues
will be aboard the station during an
exceptionally busy period that
includes two spacewalks, the arrival
of Japanese, US commercial and
Russian resupply vehicles, and an
increasingly faster pace of scientific
research, the US space agency said.
Williams is the second woman
of Indian heritage to have been
selected by NASA for a space mis-
sion after Kalpana Chawla. She
holds three records for female
space travellers: longest spaceflight
(195 days), number of spacewalks
(4), and total time spent on space-
walks (29 hours and 17 minutes).
Air India strike is second longest in aviation industry
New Delhi: The strike by a section of Air India pilots
entered the 57th day on Julu 1 to attain the notorious distinc-
tion of becoming the second longest strike in the country's
aviation history.The Indian Pilots Guild (IPG), the union of
Air India pilots, had also struck work in 1974 against cost
cutting measures when fuel prices shot up alarmingly. The
1974 strike lasted for well over 90 days. In 1993-94, a
strike by Air India flight engineers lasted for 56 days. The
current strike started May 8 when pilot members of IPG
went on mass sick leave, protesting the move to provide
Boeing-787 Dreamliner training to pilots from the erstwhile
Indian Airlines. After putting forth an original list of 14
demands, the aviators are now asking for reinstatement of
their 101 sacked colleagues. The airline has maintained that
pilots must first end their strike and the sacked pilots will be
reinstated on a case-by-case basis.The airline has suffered an
estimated revenue losses of more than Rs.610 crore.
Grounded fleet of Boeing 777s, unused manpower and
absence from key routes have hit the airlines' chances of a
financial turnaround.The strike has crippled Air India's
international operations, stranding thousands set to fly to
East Asia and the Middle East.The striking pilots have start-
ed an indefinite hunger strike since June 24. Nearly five of
11 fasting pilots have been hospitalised.Officials at Airlines
House, Air India's New Delhi-based headquarters, are con-
fident of resolving the situation by hiring new pilots.
Astronaut Sunita Williams
Gilani removed by court; Raza Parvez
Ashraf is new Pak PM
Islamabad: Pakistan Peoples
Party has elected its leader
Raza Parvez Ashraf for the
post of Prime Minister of
Pakistan after Yousuf Raza
Gilani was disqualified by
the Supreme Court.
Gilani was disqualified as
an MP by the Supreme Court
two months after he was
convicted for contempt, a
staggering verdict that was
surprisingly accepted by the
ruling-PPP which swiftly
moved to select a new premier. Capping
nearly 30 months of bitter feud between the
judiciary and the government, a three-judge
bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar
Chaudhry held that Gilani,
60, "ceased" to be the Prime
Minister from 26th April
this year.
Gilani was then convict-
ed and sentenced for not
obeying court orders to
reopen graft charges in
Switzerland against
President Asif Ali Zardari.
Contrary to expectations
that the PPP will back him
to the hilt, the ruling party
said it would abide by the
verdict and set in motion the process of
selecting Gilani's successor.Pervez Ashraf
was earlier minister of power and water in
the Gilani government.
Raja Pervez Ashraf
India
Shed fear, invest in Afghan opportunity: India
Rajat Gupta's fall 'from lofty board room
to lowly jail cell'
New York: The conviction
recently of the one-time poster
boy of Indian business in
America, Rajat Gupta, on charges
of securities fraud marks yet
another phase in his roller coaster
ride from an orphan to lofty board
room to convicted felon.
A jury at federal court in
Manhattan convicted the former
Goldman Sachs' director of three
counts of securities fraud and one
count of conspiracy. Each of the three securi-
ties fraud charges carry maximum sentences
of 20 years. The jury verdict concluded a
four-week trial that started on May 21. The
sentencing in the case is scheduled for
October and may be light considering
Guptas stellar record as business executive.
It was the highest-profile conviction yet
in a wave of federal cases focused on Wall
Street misconduct.
Ironically, Gupta's fall from grace was
brought about by another Indian American,
Preet Bharara, nicknamed the "Sheriff of
Wall Street", for leading a wave of insider
trading probes over the last two-and-a-half
years, that also fell Sri Lankan American Raj
Rajaratnam, billionaire founder of Galleon.
Gupta joined McKinsey & Company in
1973 and rose to become its MD. He also
served as corporate chairman, board director
or strategic advisor to a variety of large and
notable organizations such as Goldman
Sachs, Procter & Gamble and American
Airlines, and non-profits
including The Gates Foundation
and the International Chamber
of Commerce.
Rajat Gupta was additional-
ly the co-founder of the Indian
School of Business, the
American India Foundation and
New Silk Route with various
partners.
New Delhi: India unveiled its vision of promot-
ing economic rejuvenation and stability of
Afghanistan by asking companies from the
region to invest in that country in the spirit of
solidarity, despite the risks, and called for
CEOs to replace generals to lead the country's
reconstruction.
"We need to offer a narrative of opportunity
to counter the anxiety of withdrawal, uncertain-
ty, instability and foreign interference,"
External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna told the
first regional conclave organized in mid June in
India to encourage private sector investment in
Afghanistan.
"India will continue to pursue its vision to
stabilize Afghanistan through trade and invest-
ment and regional cooperation," he said while
jointly inaugurating the conclave with his
Afghan counterpart Zalmai Rassoul.
"We invite international investors and
regional countries to join in this vision for
Afghanistan individually or in partnership with
others," he said.
Afghanistan robustly backed this approach.
"I believe greater investments results in
increased economic national activities in any
country including, but not limited to, additional
revenues, job creation, income generation
opportunities which in turn leads to increased
prosperity and service delivery," said Rassoul.
Hundreds of companies from India,
Afghanistan and other countries participated in
the summit. The Afghan delegation included
five senior ministers. The recommendations of
the day-long investment conclave will be sub-
mitted as a framework at the Tokyo Conference
July 8 where international donors will pledge
funds for Afghanistan after international troops
leave the violence-torn country in 2014.
The key recommendations of the summit
included providing the private sector investment
protection and risk mitigation, providing incen-
tives for investing in Afghanistan, and the cre-
ation of an international fund for SMEs. The
conclave identified key sectors for investment in
Afghanistan that included natural resources,
manufacturing, infrastructure, agriculture, IT
and telecommunications.
Rajat Gupta
Himangini Singh Yadu, crowned Miss
Asia Pacific 2012, flanked by 1st Runner up
- Tuyanaa Temenjargal of Mongolia and 2nd
Runner up Diana Kubasova of Latvia.
Himangini is a BCA graduate from Indore.
The beauty pageant was held in Busan,
South Korea, June 16.
Indian girl is Miss Asia
Pacific 2012
Drunk, Dumb and Racist,
are they really?
By Neena Badhwar
T
he poster is provocative, the
punch line by the main presenter
is straight in the face of
Australians who have always tried to
hide the racist accusation by pushing it
away, shoving it under the carpet, so
to speak according to Radhika
Budhwar, one of the four Indians cho-
sen and invited to be part of the series:
Dumb, Drunk and Racist, Are
Australians really?
DD & R makes an interesting six-
part series every Wednesdays 9.30 pm
on ABC 2 that attempts to dissect stig-
mas about Australians through the eyes
of four Indians. Radhika Budhwar is
the wise elder of the four, an education
counsellor from Pune who advises
Indian students seeking to go for high-
er education overseas. Mahima
Bhardwaj works in a call centre in
India who has copped foul language
during her conversations she is
young, innocent yet curious to find out
for herself as she keenly tries to absorb
the experience. Amer Singh is a 21-
year old Law student from Chandigarh
who decided to drop his plans to study
in Australia at the insistence of his
mum and overprotective grandmother.
And Gurmeet Chaudhary is a Hindi
TV channel news anchor who hap-
pened to report episodes of violence
against the Indians in Melbourne and
Sydney at the height of Indian student
flare-ups. They speak how they all
changed or did their bit to change the
perceptions of Australians and other
issues they came across in their three-
week trip to Australia with Joe
Hildebrand, a well-known journalist at
the Daily Telegraph and the ABC,
named one of the most influential
Australians on Twitter.
The series tries to look at the issues
in Australia hands on and let the view-
ers decide as four Indians are invited to
go through the experiences that ABC
producers tried to plan in an unplanned
manner to experience and elicit their
own individual responses by the four
subjects as they came across people in
different locations, settings and
hotspots where the incidents of vio-
lence against the Indian students had
occurred.
And in the process, the presenter,
the director and the producers also
became part of the experiment them-
selves with the series able to achieve
what it set out to achieve that is to
talk about the stereotypes to do with
Australia and dissect them one by one
as things unfold.
Back in Pune with her family,
Radhika Budhwar says that her
Facebook page is sometimes so full of
hate comments that she is scared to
open it but then somewhere the first
two episodes have created a sort of a
debate.
She says, I am a practicing
Buddhist and there was a lot of battle
within myself when I started out.
Every day I asked myself I must have
the courage to say what I believe I
must say. And if my original impres-
sion was what it was, then so be it. It
was from my heart only because I had
a moral responsibility to the students
who came to me for advice and as a
mother and working as an honorary
voluntary education consultant it was
my duty to advise that I give them the
right advice about the places which
were safe and that the parents had
made arrangements or had the ability
to call their children back if the situa-
tion turned sour or unsafe. Before the
series started I got a lot of hateful com-
ments but as the series has started peo-
ple have started to say positive com-
ments and even are supportive of what
I say on the show. Some assure me and
even say to me Good on you and we
are looking forward to seeing you in
the next episode.
At times during the series I said
things which were cutting but it came
from my impressions and my research
that Australia was not a safe place at
the moment and that parents should
rather send their children to UK, the
US or Canada, for example. Even
Singapore seemed a pretty viable edu-
cation destination than Australia.
For me the series was a whole lot
of immersive experience on the outside
as well as within as it made me self-
reflect and process those impressions
that I had of Australia. It required a lot
of courage not to sit on the fence. I
needed to be courageous and wise as
the series and places unfolded. Nothing
was planned as we worked under the
cameras for 13 to 14 hours a day and
then used to unwind with the crew at
night who would try to find us food
according to our requirements, as you
know Mahima is a Brahmin and
Gurmeet a vegetarian.
We discussed things, events only
at nights and it was another day, anoth-
er place or a city the next morning so
we had little time to think our
thoughts. It was as if our first impres-
sions were being recorded and that
needed a lot of courage. We covered a
lot of kilometers in three weeks. It was
quite tiring.
Its been great to be chosen to be
part of the series. While my husband is
jealous of the attention I am receiving
with over 300 comments 80% I must
say are all negative while 20% from
men who just say Vow, Radhika and
some even wager Will Radhika
change her mind.
So did she? Says Radhika, This
was the toughest thing I have ever
done. I think at the end of the show I
feel that Australians are not dumb,
drunk yes to a degree may be racist
I think there are elements of racism
there. But most of all I was moved by
the Aboriginal kids and the stories of
Myall Creek Massacre and what Aunty
Sue told us about the massacre. I could
feel the deep connection with her as
she welcomed me. The aboriginal kids
at school in Alice Springs would not
just leave meI didnt know that I was
being captured cuddling the kids.
She adds, Buddhism is a way of
life for me and to a large degree it
teaches us to have deep respect for our-
selves and every person that we
encounter. And I feel that Aboriginal
experience for me was the most mov-
ing experience and every person that I
came across made me feel worthy of
the respect that Australia and
Australian people were sincerely trying
yet the problem with Aborigines needs
to be looked at seriously.
And would you recommend
Australia as a worthy place for Indians
to study. I think Australia is all right.
Only, one must be careful of certain
places and be safe than sorry.
Mahima Bhardwaj, the young call
centre worker, says, DD& R experi-
ence was really great. I had assumed
things having worked at a call centre
and how the Aussies abused at times
but it was my first time in Australia,
something that I will never experience
really in a life time.
Mahima, who is back in India, is
curious to know how the series is
going in Australia. She says, From
some of the comments I have seen on
the Facebook I must clarify that we
workers at call centres are not always
about sales. It is sometimes service
centre calls we are supposed to make
for Telstra, for Optus, which is that the
providers ought to let the customer
know whether they would like to
extend the contracts once they are
expired. Please tell everyone in
Australia that we are working late
nights to serve the customers and not
haggle or harass them. They must also
be patient as we try to inform them of
things.
She says, I was scared at first
meeting with the Australians and how
they will be to me but when I met Joe
I was satisfied and my parents were
okay with me coming to Australia.
So what was Mahimas impression
at the end.
I dont think Australians are dumb
they are easy going and casual peo-
ple, at times ignorant and they like to
live life to the fullest. Drunk yes they
drink a lot because thats their culture.
And about them being racist I take
my words back. They are not racist
and one should not judge the whole of
Australia by judging the behaviour of a
few people.
Mahima says, I think Australia is
a good place for studies as well as life.
Its a cool place to live. I can see that
the government is taking good steps in
protecting the Indians. I think the
Indian media hiked it up as it is a mat-
ter of TRPs for the TV channels over
here. Even Bollywood movies on
Indian students, like in the recently
released Crook, the director has not
portrayed the abroad right.
About Australia and its beauty, says
Mahima, Bondi beach was just so
beautiful and amazing. And, oh my
God, I had not ever seen so many
naked people. Here we see people fully
clothed on our beaches. If ever, only a
heroine in one piece bikini, hardly ever
in two piece.
She adds, having left the call centre
job and working now in HR, I am so
proud that I was chosen out of whole
of India to come to Australia. There
are too many comments on social
media but I try not to read them.
Any problems she came across in
Australia, herself.
Oh! Finding vegetarian food for
me and Gurmeet was such a problem.
And yes Aboriginal problem does exist
although they have been given equal
rights to vote and to roam anywhere
they like and treat them special noI
am not in favour of reservations for the
backward classes like they have in
India.
In the end, says Mahima, There is
always a good side and a bad side and
it is but human to judge people.
Would she like to visit Australia
again.
Yestwenty days went just like
that and of course I would like to visit
with my family and perhaps settle
there.
21-year old Amer Singh from
Chandigarh, the youngest of the four,
though keenly interested in the beauti-
ful Aussie girls like any young lad
ought to be, was also the most emo-
tional at times but as he is back in
India, he says he is analyzing his
impressions of the trip more deeply.
He says, Yes there are isolated
cases of racism. We were getting a lot
of conflicting stories from the news
channels, from my friends, different
sources. One of my taxi driver friends
in Melbourne had been telling us about
the rude and very racist behavior of the
Aussies. I was quite curious and ready
to explore the entire hoopla the Indian
media was trying to bring up how
true was it really?
Community
Community
Especially when I had a plan to
come to Australia to study and had
given it up due to pressure from mum
and my grandma. In the end I found
out that yes there are certain antisocial
elements everywhere. And its a great
thing that we did encounter some racist
and violent behaviour but then we met
some amazing and wonderful people,
some forward thinking people.
In my eyes the problem with the
aborigines overshadowed any problem
they have in Australia to do with anti-
Islamic views or anti-migrant views
and behavior. If you want to see the
racism then you need to see the abo-
riginals and their treatment there. I
think city dwellers dont want to think
about them and have put the aborigines
at the back of their minds. Issues with
the aborigines is, in my eyes, a big
issue.
About Indian students I think it is
the behavior of the young and I know
how hot blooded the Punjabi blood can
be. It is possible that the problems that
erupted could be instigated from both
sides, says Amer.
Dumb, Drunk I wouldnt say
that. We Indians drink a lot too. Its all
relative. To call a country dumb is I
think dumb in itself.
So would he like to come and study
in Sydney?.
Yes, hopefully, when I finish my
undergrad law degree. And for the last
time I urge everyone not to draw com-
parisons between India and Australia.
It can become a vicious cycle. In my
opinion Australians are a beautiful
bunch of people and they have some of
the most beautiful girls. It sure is my
kind-a-place.
Gurmeet Chaudhary, the news
anchor at a TV channel who in the
beginning said that whoever attacks
anyone should be shot, changed his
mind by the end of the trip. It has
helped me to broaden my view. I think
Australians are a Fun loving people
who work hard and party hard. Now
I think they are not dumb or racist but
drunk, yes, because they drink a lot.
Racist attacks of 2008 could be due to
global financial crisis and job insecuri-
ty due to it which can lead to such
problems. Australians, in my eyes, are
racist, not to Indians, but to their own
aborigine people.
And how will he report Australia
now? Says Gurmeet, Reporting is my
job. I will report news about Australia.
But now there will be a soft corner for
Australians because they are really
very good human beings.
Joe Hildebrand, the presenter of the
show, is a well-known journalist of
Daily Telegraph newspaper. Joe is
funny and says that perhaps ABC
chose him because he looks Dumb,
Drunk and RacistWell, Joe has the
courage to take it on the chin as he
says in the beginning of every episode:
Hi I am Dumb, Drunk and
Racistbecause I am Australian. He is
sympathetic, has empathy while
rounding up all the four Indians, assur-
ing their families that all will be fine.
Says Joe about the series,
Amazing stuff came out, some beau-
tiful, most really weird, creepy, dan-
gerous and often naughty.
There were scary moments as
things sprang out of the woods for the
four Indians whose initial perception
was that Australia is a hostile and an
unwelcoming country. We showed
them the good stuff and the nasty stuff.
We took them to Melbourne where the
Indian student protests happened, we
took them to a heated cricket pitch,
showed them 2006 Cronulla riot
scenes. We showed the worst and the
best images of Australia in a fair and
balanced way. That the Indians were
not looking through some rose
coloured glasses.
In the trip there were plenty of
good things and the Indians had a great
time and completely tried to embrace
the culture. Says Joe, Gurmeet and
Mahima came from a very conserva-
tive and sheltered upbringing but they
realized at the end that the very shal-
low view of Australia they had was
often lot more deeper and the problems
more complex and I must say a lot of
their perceptions were challenged.
I am sure there will be plenty of
people offended on both sides. It has
already become a huge topic of debate
on the internet and is the biggest show
ABC TV has tried to do, Says Joe.
Joe Hildebrand himself says that he
fell in love with Australia all over
again as he went through the trip with
the Indians introducing them to some
of the great local customs such as: how
to down a beer, crack a whip, rodeo
and firing at the feral pigs and making
the unassuming Indians go through
many more Aussie experiences.
Says Aaron Smith, the director of
the series, Joe calling himself Dumb,
Drunk and Racist was his idea. The
series is an exercise in putting the ele-
phant in the room, so to speak, an
effort to bring out the debate in the
open, leading to more open discussion
hoping that the change will finally hap-
pen.
We thought how to engage people
in a sort of vox pop yet interesting way
when we made Joe sit with the board
and engage passers by. The board
worked as a good device that opened
the conversation a bit more. It was
deliberately made to look more
provocative asking a question as ran-
dom people came and said things
some careful, others not very nice and
some bit of both.
We took a long time in deciding
about places, diverse range of people
and places in Australia we wanted to
give them a short lesson of Australian
history and there was always a surprise
element at the corner as at times the
schedules were changed. Moreover,
we wanted to shoot their first reactions
to things and most exciting stuff came
out of the unplanned footage that we
captured.
It was a great learning curve for
Aaron who says that at the end he him-
self learnt a lot about Australia and
adds, If you take this Australian
experience at local scale and put it in
the general global scale, especially
India with its 1.2 billion people, how
incredible it would be. It just sums up
the worst and the best of mankind in a
general sense that we are not all per-
fect and how can we move forward
and address the bigger issues. We do
have aboriginal problem and that it
started 230 years ago and that it is
quite hard to resolve but the series has
attempted towards a step in the right
direction.
So coming to the problem of
Indians facing assaults, do you agree
that there is a severe law and order
problem with drugs and drink, espe-
cially at night and hence a related vio-
lence against the students at night.
Aaron agrees, Yes we need to sort
that out for sure and put more police in
at some places.
Series producer Anita Jorgensen
finally says about Australia being DD
& R, Drunk Australians celebrate
drunkenness, yet pay a high price for
that. Our crime and violence figures
support that. Dumb I dont think we
are dumb there are elements of some
dumb people in any democratic socie-
ty. And about racism there is some
form of jealousy against the newly
arrived, trying to emotionally deflect
something on to them in some form of
racism and ignorance expressed in a
stupid way. The series at least tried to
open these problems and made every
one openly talk about it which was the
purpose.
Amer, Mahima, Gurmeet and Radhika with ABCs Joe Hildebrand on a trip down under as part of the TV series.
Community
Its good that ABC tried to do a
series: Dumb, Drunk and Racist,
Are we really? And help start a dis-
cussion to analyse and dissect
stereotypes about Australians with
the help of four intrepid Indians
who held certain views about
Australia and Australians before
they started and how they evolved
their opinion at the end of the series.
The local Indian community
which has lived through Indian stu-
dent problem was always divided in
their opinion about Australians
being racist. Some outright rejected
the silly notion by saying No I
never faced racism in Australia
then others said that Indians do not
know proper etiquettes and talk in
their language and are loud on trains
and hence invited attacks whereas
some others came up with Indian
are quite vulnerable victims walk-
ing late at nights with cash and
mobile and computer notebooks.
There are a few who did face racism
and had the experience etched in
their minds forever - at workplace,
on the street and said that one only
had to see Australia and the domi-
nation of certain fields of certain
sections of community in Media,
Television and even Politics where
the barriers had not been broken.
Yet they said that Australia had
come a long way from White
Australia policy and as the multicul-
tural mix was growing so also the
tolerance. There were prejudices at
work in certain places and difficult
to prove that they had the skills to
do the rquired job though there were
a quite few Indians who said that
they had wonderful Aussie friends.
About Indian student facing
robberies and physical assaults at
the height of the student problem
many local community leaders got
together, met politicians and the
police during and after the problem
to help take steps to curb it.
A lot of them, people who were
at the receiving end, have now set-
tled back into their normal routine
as life can be busy for newly arrived
migrants, when asked, most of them
said that there was a problem but
Harris Park has now become com-
paratively safe.
Says one resident of Harris
Park, It is a much better place than
what it was then. Police now regu-
larly patrol the area. Earlier no one
was listening to us especially the
police that there was a serious prob-
lem. Its good that things came to
their notice to do with law and order
problem and government having
taken some positive steps to repair
the damage.
Harris Park, known and promot-
ed as the Little India of Australia,
Dr Geoff Lee, local MP for
Parramatta region, said to TIDU,
No I am not watching the series
DD & R but a lot has changed in the
last five years as over 39% of the
population of Parramatta comes
from South-Asian background
according to Census 2011. Indians
are the fastest growing community
of NSW and Parramatta is a perfect
example of multiculturalism at its
best. The government has helped set
up Multicultural Consultative
Committee from the Indian commu-
nity for the government to consult
on various issues to do with any
concerns and to encourage them to
work with the mainstream commu-
nity in terms of integration. We
started Parramasala Multicultural
Art Festival in Parramatta to not
only broaden the appeal but as an
excercise of real celebration of the
mix that makes Parramatta and
share it with the broader communi-
ty. As regards to incidents of rob-
beries, assaults the statistics show
that they are falling or rather stable.
Yes, I agree, that there can be some
anecdotal episodes but the effort of
previous Consul General Amit
Dasgupta and the local business
community and the regular business
forums we hold have been helpful
in making the situation better.
The government has done
tremendous work in making Harris
Park safe and habitable by widening
footpaths, installing better lighting,
fencing and CCTV around the sta-
tion area. I can say that Parramatta
is the home of festivals and Harris
Park with its Indian eateries a place
for tourists to come and enjoy
Indian food and see a home away
from home.
Area Commander,
Suprintendant Robert Redfern, says,
I think Harris Park is a fantastic
place. I make sure that I come out
and talk to people in the area and the
business forum have done wonders
and the business community is quite
happy with the progress the place is
making. Local Council is improving
and enhancing the area with wider
footpaths, planting trees, better
lighting. Railcorp has installed
CCTV and security fencing with
general attitude in the people that it
is quite a peaceful place.
Amarinder Bajwa, president of
UIA, the umbrella body of over 26
Indian associations, who came to
Australia in 2002, says, I myself
did face racism in the sense that I
had to modify myself to find a job. I
cut my hair as it was a matter of sur-
vival for me and my family. Me
being a Sikh I faced the stereotypi-
cal view that with my turban and the
beard I was perceived a threat rather
than getting employment. And this
is because there is a lot of ignorance
about Sikh religion a religion
which has its roots in the belief that
we are all equal. Stereotypes exist
everywhere, including India, but
talking of the stereotypes that exist
here, I think they are due to the
ignorance of the people. We, as
Indians, need to educate people so
that they can understand us better. I
must say since then things have
changed considerably and I find
people more accepting now. Only
because now they can see the grow-
ing ethnic diversity of Sydney and
are becoming more tolerant.
As a community leader and
president of UIA, me and my team
are always looking into ways of cre-
ating better understanding and
awareness of what we are and what
our culture is. UIAs Friendship Fair
is one such example where we
invite local community to come join
us for a day and see what being
Indian, India, its food and culture is
all about.
Census 2011 figures, Harris
Park with its concentration of Indian
community, SBS Bollywood Star
series, ABCs DD & R with four
Indian invited to travel through
Australia and the NSW government
starting Parramasala a multicul-
tural Art Festival, and having invit-
ed A R Rahman and Kailash Kher,
one can say there are efforts to make
the people happy and place peace-
ful.
Australians ...Dumb, Drunk and
Racist...definitely NO...according to
many members of the local Indian
migrant community which has seen
the efforts by all to help reduce ten-
sion and now know that they can
approach the police and the govern-
ment if in need, as everyone tries
their bit for a safer, tolerant society
with people educating each other
with an aim to live harmoniously.
What do local Indians say?
Harris Park - once Traditional land of the Burramutta clan, now a place where theres Indian majority, and a safe place due to measures and steps taken by the NSW govern-
ment, the police and the supportive business community itself. Pic Left: Nitin Setia of Ginger Restaurant talking to Hany Boutros, Rosehill Area Command, and Geoff Lee MP
at Harris Park Station; Pic Middle: Area Commandar Suprintendant Robert Redfern and Right: UIA President Amarinder Bajwa
Bollywood
By Neena Badhwar
P
aresh Rawal, a comedian and actor,
came to Sydney recently with his
stage play Kishan vs Kanhaiya. In
the role of Kishan, Paresh Rawal, as an
antique dealer, took on Kanhaiya, the icon-
ic God we all Indians believe and have faith
in. The play was a take on everything what
was wrong with India and its belief system
and the so-called religious leaders who trade
God to innocent yet superstitious people.
The dialogues were loaded and Paresh
Rawals character brought forth issues that
riddle the Indian society, presented in a
satirical mix which kept the audience
engrossed all the way through. Paresh is a
consummate actor, who, at the centre of the
role, connects the rest of the characters in a
tight yet invisible bond as they all act to his
dominance as a superb stage performer.
IDU talked to Paresh as he sat in a
Brisbane caf enjoying the Australian
sun.
How has your journey been from an
actor to villain to comedian, your evolution?
It has been a very fruitful and meaning-
ful journey. It has enriched me as an actor,
as a human being and as a citizen of India.
I spend a lot of time now in theatre as my
original work was in theatre before I went
into films. And in acting it is all to do with
timing which is a vital component of acting.
You must understand the role, connect to
the character and know how to deliver lines
and timing is essentially all that.
Aisa lagta hai ki aap sabko hasate
rehte honge (It seems as if you keep oth-
ers laughing all the time)? Do you ever
get serious or quiet? How do you perceive
the world? Is comedy difficult to do?
I am not a brooding sort of a guy. I am
a normal human being who laughs when
theres something to laugh about and quiet
like any person can be. I take life as it is and
try to observe and see humour in situations,
in people around me. If not, then you will
die. Life can be unfair, unjust and some-
times rosy and bright so one must see the
humour in things that happen around us.
Just laugh it off otherwise you can choke to
death.
You are a frequent visitor to
Australia? Aapko Australia kaisa lagta
haiaur yahan ke log (how do you like
Australia and its people)?
I am not that frequent a visitor. Last
time when I came it was 2006. Yahan ke log
bahut hi acchhe hain. Australia is a very
nice place. It has its virtues, the loneliness,
money and greed and hollowness, yet it is a
very nice place like any other western coun-
try. Although India has come into money
and materialism, yet the people and even the
poor of India are quite spiritually strong and
India as a whole is not spiritually bankrupt.
People are happy even when they have very
little to sustain and survive.
Indian films seem to be covering themes
of the richZNMD, BBB, Cheeni Kum,
while the social problems still exist? India
has the poorest people in the worldstill
there are issues -slumsexploitation of
womenPlease comment.
No films, no dramas or television serial,
no matter how strong, can change or fix
social problems. The media, that is Films,
TV or Theatre can help increase awareness
and the only change anyone can make is
they themselves. The problems in India are
very deep rooted and one cant just wish
them away. In the end you have to work
hard to make a success of your life. No film
maker can help you fight the fight you want
to fight.
Aapke bete yours sons, what do they
do. I find that Bollywood has become a
place where only one can get a break if he
or she is so and sos son or daughter. What
do you say? And what is your wife Swaroop
Sampat busy with these days.
At the moment one of my sons is study-
ing theatre and the other screen writing.
They will have to work hard like I did,
though they have their fathers experience
as an added advantage. Yet, they must do
their own proving. Swaroop is busy with
charity work and is the UNICEF ambassa-
dor from Gujarat. She did her PhD from
University of Worcester and is busy work-
ing for NGOs like Save the Children and
others.
What are your future ventures any
inspiring comments for the Australian
Indian audience.
To aspiring actors from here I say work
hard and learn as you go. As for me I would
like to continue to learn more in theatre
which is my foremost love. And the Indian
film industry is changing as the times are
changing. New actors, directors are com-
ing. It is a very healthy time for the Indian
film industry which includes me. I will keep
on acting in films and theatre, of course.
Will you ever conduct a theatre work-
shop for local Indian Australian talent
which is now gathering momentum, with
interest in theatre and films?
Oh, no. I am not a good teacher, though
I am a good student. And still learning.
There is no blueprint to teach. You cant
teach people to act. It comes either natural-
ly or when they work hard and explore
themselves as they go. Acting is a lot of
hard work. It is a very noble profession yet
it takes a lot out of you. It is rather a 25-
hour job in a 24-hour day.
Acting is essentially timing
- Paresh Rawal
The well-known comedian and actor, was
in Sydney recently with his stage play
Kishan vs Kanhaiya.
Bollywood
By Neeru Saluja
S
he has often been touted as the worlds
most beautiful woman. An icon of
beauty and source of pride for India,
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan recently sparked an
international debate for her weight gain after
motherhood. The hourglass figure has given
way to a voluminous figure, the once exotic
face has become plump, the beautiful brown
eyes look fatigued and her perfect face shape
has been lost with a double chin.
Dont get me wrong, Im not here criti-
cising the timeless beauty who is enjoying
motherhood, and in no rush to lose her baby
fat. Im analysing our society who till date
was never bothered if Indian actresses gained
weight post pregnancy or after marriage.
They were actually written off once married
or given roles of the mother or sister. Have
we started reflecting the westernized body
shape? Or do we expect our heroines to
always stay slim and glamorous?
The answer is yes. Lots of Indian actress-
es and models still look hot even if they are
touching 40. Move over Victoria Beckham
and Angelina Jolie, we have our very own
bandwagon of actresses and models that rock.
They made a gracious exit when their biolog-
ical clock was ticking away, but their love for
the tinsel town couldnt hold them back.
Juggling between motherhood and a career,
Bollywood is their passion and looking good
has become a necessity.
Lets start with the once thunder thighs
Sridevi, who looks svelte at the age of 48.
She is making her comeback with 'English
Vinglish' that features French actor Mehdi
Nebbou, Adil Hussain, Priya Anand and
Amitabh Bachchan in a cameo. Discussing
her comeback, Sridevi says, "I never decide
or plan things. I would have grabbed English
Vinglish if the script had come to me even
five or 10 years ago. I didn't plan this as my
comeback film. It just happened. R Balki (the
director) is very close to my husband Boney,
and he came to me with two scripts. I heard
and loved both of them. Any middle-class
housewife will be able to identify with my
character, and that's why I felt this is the
right film for me."
The dhak-dhak girl Madhuri Dixit
shocked the industry by going to the US after
her marriage with Dr Nene. After regular vis-
its to Mumbai, a comeback film, TV shows,
Madhuri finally packed her bags and brought
her family to relocate to Mumbai. Such is the
charm of Bollywood. Though she is still wait-
ing for the right film to make her comeback,
rumours are that she is fixed with a whopping
price tag. It is worth it, because her smile still
kills millions!
Karisma Kapoor never looked a day older
even after becoming a mother of two. She has
finally made her comeback with Vikram
Bhatt's 3D venture, 'Dangerous Ishq'. The
film is a woman-centric, supernatural thriller
where Karisma plays the central character.
The mast girl Raveena Tandon will be seen
romancing three men in Shobhnas 7
Nights. The bubbly Juhi Chawla never took
a backseat and be it a sisters role or adver-
tisements, she kept herself going with film
offers.
Remember Bhagyashree who made her
debut with Salman Khan in the 1989 hit
Maine Pyar Kiya, then refused to work with
anyone else except her businessman husband?
She is now back but not as the sweet next
door girl but as a sexy and sensuous woman!
Any takers for her? She can definitely give a
run for money to any actress who has acted
with her then leading man Salman Khan.
Despite having two kids, Kajol has still
been the leading lady of successful films with
the Khans. A natural when it comes to acting,
Kajol never took a backseat in her career.
Growing sexier with every passing day, she
chooses her roles carefully so she can create
a perfect balance between her family and
career.
And the yummiest mummy of all, who
can forget Malaika Arora Khan. Recently in
Sydney for the opening night of the Indian
Film Festival, she looked ravishing in a
shoulderless blue jumpsuit. Neither an extra
pound here nor an extra inch there. Her skin
looked radiant and she looked fulfilled with
what she has achieved with the success of
Dabaang. When asked about the latest mum
baby fat, she replied, Aishwarya Rai needs
to be given a break. The Indian media needs
to back off. Seriously, its not easy shedding
off those extra pounds. We all have gone
through it and we know how difficult it is.
Agreed - it is not that easy to hit the gym
daily amidst nursing a baby and changing
nappies. Maybe that is why our 90s
Bollywood queens Madhuri and Sridevi took
a backseat and made a comeback only when
their kids grew up. But hang on, walking the
red carpet at Cannes with six-month old
Aradhaya in toe, couldnt Mrs Bachchan rest
and be with her baby daughter for a few
months more having become a mother at the
age of 38? Whats the hurry to be in the lime-
light and under the cameras which capture
you not in a perfect figure in public. Your
fans demand you to be still the iconic inter-
national beauty representing India and them.
The fans want you to look the best, no matter
what.
Be an actress or a model, your fans still
pin hopes on you and want to see you in your
best shape. Even if youve become a mum,
they dont want to write you off. Rather, they
want to see you mature and grow and be the
role model of beauty still. So cmon Aish,
you had to let go of the lead role in Heroine
due to your pregnancy and attend to the bun-
dle of joy that all the Bachchan household is
enjoying at the moment. Roles suited to you
on screen will come your way. At the
moment the role of motherhood is the spe-
cial role assigned to you. We are sure you
will ride the high wave again and surprise
your detractors with your gorgeous looks and
deep and meaningful screen presence.
Once an actor, actor forever!
Some famous Indian actresses and models made a gracious exit when their biological
clock was ticking away, but their love for the tinsel town couldnt hold them back.
The Dhak-Dhak girl, Madhuri Dixit is the star judge for the fifth season of
dance reality show, 'Jhalak Dikhla Ja'.
Karisma Kapoor never looked
a day older even after becoming a mother
of two. She has finally made her
comeback with Vikram Bhatt's 3D
venture, 'Dangerous Ishq'.
Aishwarya Rai should have avoided the
red carpet at Cannes after motherhood--
voluminous figure, plump face, fatigued
eyes, double chin and all.
Thunder Thighs Sridevi, who looks svelte at the age of 48, is making
her comeback with 'English Vinglish'.
Community
By Neena Badhwar
When you talk to Bipen Sharma
of Sharmas Kitchen he will quietly
say, Kyonji, theek hai na, as if
asking for affirmation for simple
philosophies about life. Yet that
simplicity and quest for natural
goodness of Indian homes back in
the times of yore simple, nutri-
tious food served by loving hands
has made Bipen look into food
items that were and are part of our
daily Indian diet for example Dahi
- homemade natural yoghurt that
any Indian household cant do with-
out; Lassi a must since it provides
probiotics essential for the gut.
Bipen Sharma not only recreated
but experimented relentlessly with
them till he got them right from his
Hornsby warehouse. And if you do
the work with conviction and mar-
ket it right why wouldnt it be
noticed. Sharmas Kitchen has been
packing up awards after awards
every year since its inception by the
Royal Agriculture Society and by
the National Dairy Industry. Not
only his products Lassi, Dahi,
Paneer have created a niche market
they have been recognized for their
quality, consistency and taste. Year
2012 saw Sharmas Kitchen win
two gold and seven silvers from
both the bodies. Gold went to Lassi
and Milk Badam another innova-
tive product from Bipen. One must
taste fresh pakoras made from
Sharmas Paneeer to vouch for it as
piping hot paneer and its aroma
wafts through when tasting them
and Sharmas Paneer, Masala
Paneer got silver awards. And the
restless entrepreneur is experiment-
ing having come up with Shrikhad
which snapped another silver.
Mango Lassi, favourite of Indians
during summer time, earnt itself
gold last year and silver this year.
Says Bipen, Kyonji theek hai
na? as his wall behind his desk at
the office displays awards, testimo-
nials, news, interviews and recently
SMH Good Weekend interviewed
this busy man who is elusive in the
sense that he is in Sydney one day
and then in Bulgaria the next where
he has set up factory. Work hard and
recognition will follow is his motto
as we find it difficult to find him.
Winning among the biggest
names in the Australian Dairy
Industry is indeed very satisfying,
says Bipen Sharma, it is a special
feeling that we have been consis-
tently recognized for our high stan-
dards.
While winning awards may not
be new to Sharmas Kitchen, win-
ning them regularly brings into
sharper focus the relentless pursuit
of excellence by the company.
Our emphasis has always been
on getting better, adds Bipen
Sharma, almost every product has
undergone several stages of
improvement and this process will
continue. Equally important as win-
ning awards is the great feedback
by people who take the trouble to
send us their views and sugges-
tions.
For Indians in Australia yearn-
ing for that familiar taste of home-
made dahi and paneer, Sharmas
Kitchen has been nothing short of a
life saver. After years of buying
Greek yoghurt and pretending it
was just like back home, we finally
saw an Indian brand in the shops in
the mid 90s, and life has never
been the same again, says Nandu
Apte. The Yoghurt was followed by
Paneer, then Mango Lassi came
along followed by ghee, sweets,
shrikhand and sure enough, there
are more in the pipeline.
We want to be in your kitchen
in as many ways as possible, says
Bipen, and for our loyal customers
who have ignored cheaper options
on the shelves in favour of the qual-
ity they trust, we will continue to
offer the right balance of taste, qual-
ity and price.
Looks like the awards will con-
tinue as well.
Quality, taste and homemade
goodness is Bipens motto
By Neena Badhwar
Childhood impressions can be quite
profound in the sense that they leave deep
impact and the way one behaves even as an
adult. Children of first generation Indians
settled worldwide hear stories of back
home as little kids and theres always the
curiosity on part of the youngsters to go
back and experience India the way it was
described to them. And if one of those kids
turns out to be a film maker with parents
telling him stories about Kashmir, obvious-
ly the subject lies in the heart and soul of
the person since Kashmir valley is rife with
violence and unrest unlike the beautiful
valley it was years ago when one woke up
on a Shikara on Dal lake listening to Sufi
music. Is it still the same or is Kashmir and
its peace utterly destroyed forever. This
was the theme of a beautiful serene love
story Valley of Saints screened at Sydney
Film Festival in June and directed by
young Indo-American Musa Sayeed.
Says, Musa, It tried to tackle two
issues actually three it lent a backdrop
to the violence and tension, that Kashmir is
a valley of saints and third, pollution try-
ing to preserve the ecosystem of beautiful
places like Kashmir.
Valley of Saints is romance set in
Kashmir on the beautiful Dal lake. There is
backdrop of curfew, politics and violence
as characters interact on peripheral basis.
Its a gentle romance between a trapped
Kashmiri boatman and an American
researcher who has come to check and
research on pollution in the Dal lake.
I moved to America when I was 4
years old. My parents were afraid to go
back because of the fear of becoming polit-
ical prisoners. I was always curious to
reconnect to my heritage and see for myself
where I belong, as Musa spent three
months on the lake as he worked on his
script. It is a story of friendship, love as
universal aspects that the audience can
relate to.
So does he know Kashmiri language, I
dont know yet I understand the sounds and
meaning having been exposed to it and as I
saw and observed my subjects, their lan-
guage was not a barrier between us.
Making the movie and staying there was
not just about me, it was an immersive
exercise being curious myself and that I
was not some total outsider.
Its the story of two young men, their
friendship, two different people with dif-
ferent goals yet they vie for the same girl.
And I added to the film that Kashmir is a
quite a spiritual place full of holy people
and with shrines all over the place. I tried
to stay from the divisive issues and
explored the sectarian view of Kashmir.
The music of the film was composed
by my friend Mubashir Moiyuddin who is
also from America and into Rock and Roll
and hiphop. He was travelling through
Kashmir as we came across each other and
he got excited and worked with local musi-
cians and his guitar and the score turned to
be a beautiful fusion of Santoor, Rabab and
matka.
And how was the experience in
Kashmir, There were incidents of shoot-
ing and curfew being placed due to that but
we were a small crew of four and stayed
away from troubled spots. One time I had
to bribe a policeman remembers Musa.
As mentioned childhood impression are
quite strong and one must go and find out
for oneself whether those stories that are
told are true or not, Musa did by making a
movie on beloved Kashmir that his family
always talked about and experience the
place himself. And he has shared it with the
rest with his Valley of Saints.
Sayeed sees Kashmir the way it used to be
Move over Katrina Kaif, here
comes Teigan from Australia!
By Neena Badhwar
S
BS Bollywood Star Show finally
arrived at a decision after a nail-
biting wait for four weeks as
viewers discussed all the contestants
who went through a rigorous routine of
auditions, performance, talent and act-
ing to be chosen as the Bollywood Star
for a Bollywood movie from down
under.
The panel of judges made up of
Anupam Sharma film maker, direc-
tor and line producer for many
Bollywood films including Heyy Baby,
Dil Chahta Hai; Raj Suri - of Miss
India Australia Beauty Quest who has
helped many wannabes get a break in
Bollywood, and Dipti Patil a dancer
and a choreographer working for
Shiamak Davar Dance Company. In
India Bollywood Star had Emma
Brown-Garret, Asha Chandra and
Mahesh Bhatt to groom and chisel out
the ultimate Bollywood star.
The show created a keen viewership
as hundreds of contestants applied for
the contest. First episode was difficult
for judges as they laboriously culled
people who came to take part even if
one of the contestants was walking on
crutches. This lady was adamant and
the judges gave her the chance but
without luck. Sydney brought out
many actors, talented people even
some seniors who happened to have
lifelong dream to act in a movie.
Raj Suri, Anupam Sharma and
Dipti Patil know what the industry
wants and slowly brought the contest-
ant list down to 24 by the second round
and down to six with Raj Suris camera
lens focusing on minute details, yet be
able to find that potential actor who
suits Bollywood image and persona.
The six finalists who were chosen were
Lucky Singh, Rickardo Wesley,
Gautam or G-Luv Koul, Sarah
Roberts, Teigan Llyod-Evans and
Sharon Johal. They all had attributes
physical as well as talent which took
them to the third round and the fourth
round. It was difficult to say no to
some as they burst into tears hearing
the news as if their life depended on it.
Bollywood Star, on the whole,
brought out the best and the worst of
talent and for many viewers it was a
learning curve who may have been
closet hopefuls. The programme
proved that Bollywood is not a dream
but a stark reality and no reality show.
In a contestant it looks for their dream,
talent, hard work, aspiration, brains,
conviction, cleverness, charm, maturi-
ty yet innocence all rolled in one and
beauty - inner as well as outer in a per-
son. It was a journey which can be
for lifetime for some. One must be
rugged and strong of personality to
withstand its highs and lows. Trying
for Bollywood is a journey in itself,
though one may think of the success
and adulation and popularity it can
bring, which can be a long and hard
one trying to find the real actor in one-
self.
And thats what the contestants
learnt in a matter of a month what
Bollywood is. A lot was processed by
them as they learnt through the experi-
ence they can call their own.
TIDU talked to some of the contest-
ant including the winner Teigan Llyod-
Evans as she says, It was the best
experience of my life. It was not as if
you get a chance willy nilly. We got
the opportunity to do real stuff and all
in front of a camera.
So what kind of a role she is set to
do in a Mahesh Bhatt film? Says
Teigan, They have not picked a role
yet but I may be moving to Mumbai
and shooting for it later in the year.
So how did she find Bollywood and
India? This whole thing has changed
my life. The contest was all about the
industry though I would like to explore
Mumbai on my own a bit more
So how did she think of getting into
Bollywood? It was my underlying
passion and things came to a head last
year when I came across this contest. I
have watched Bollywood movies since
I was 12 years old with my mum who
is a great fan of Bollywood genre.
Can she name some movies? I
loved Monsoon Wedding. Though we
reminded her that it is from the alter-
native cinema with directors like Mira
Nair whereas mainstream Bollywood is
all song, dance and item numbers. On
speaking Hindi, says she eagerly,
Please teach me and correct me as I
am ready to learn and have the ability
to evolve as I go. Language should not
be a barrier to expression.
Sitting: Gautam, Lucky and Rickardo. Standing: Teigan (the winner of the contest), Sharon and Sarah.
Bollywood
Bollywood
And how did Teigan manage to
impress the judges with her dancing?
There are no Bollywood dance class-
es on Gold Coast where I come from.
I just learnt watching movies and kept
on rewinding again and again to mas-
ter some steps.
And what about the various outfits
and saris she wore? We shopped for
them once I was on the show and I
didnt know how to tie a sari even,
which I just pinned to keep it in place.
But I must say that my fellow contest-
ants were so good especially Lucky
who would correct my accent of cer-
tain words.
She explains being on the show
thus, It was quite hard as we were in
front of the camera 18 hours a day. It
was more in a doco style manner than
a competition. They wanted to see
what kind of people we were. Mahesh
looked into many aspects including
talent and personality. He wanted
someone who he could mould, some-
one who could connect to the audi-
ence.
Teigan is totally smitten by the
people in India, especially ordinary
people, and is fascinated by the coun-
try. Though I was shocked at first,
people were so nice and the attention
they gave us as they invited us in their
homes and hearts was just touching. I
felt comfortable with them. I loved
and enjoyed their simple ways. Never
once I felt dirty.
And what has Bollywood Star
taught her about Bollywood? Its not
me being a Caucasian. It is about
director and the vision he has to see
and put me in a role that works. We as
contestants all had something different
to offer. I am sure theres a role that
would suit my personality.
In the end Teigan agrees that SBS
has done this series as a good exercise
in helping cement the relations for
both India and Australia in a positive
direction. I am just totally over-
whelmed and thankful to all who sup-
ported me.
Sharon Johal, another contestant
who just about made to the top pretty
close, found that whole story did not
emerge from the series. Said she,
when asked why she cried so much all
those tears, What you saw was just a
few scenes. There was so much
footage and I feel that whole story did
not get translated.
It wasnt as if I just sat in front of
Mahesh Bhatt and the tears started. He
had talked to me a lot earlier and said
let all your emotions out and I dont
know what happened my tears just
kept on coming outand Mahesh
said more more and I cried more
and more. I dont know what hap-
pened to me.
Sharon hails from Riverland area
of South Australia where her dad has
a vineyard with her helping him on the
farm from a very young age. She has
seen hard life and is ready to take on
challenges.
About going for the contest, said
Sharon, It was my childhood dream.
My parents were so against it that they
used to say they will disown me. So I
did Law to keep them happy but its
not my passion. I had big dreams. I
spend a lot of time practicing in litiga-
tion law and am on my feet a lot which
can be pretty stressful.
I have studied in Shimla and know
Punjabi and Gujarati, have learnt
Tabla, Sarangi and Harmonium. So I
thought why not try it. The contest
helped me to challenge myself.
Putting myself and see me nation-
wide happy, sad and crying needed
a lot of courage. The show has defi-
nitely taught me courage to do more.
What did Sharon learn from the
experience? We saw Bollywood from
up close. There was more negative
than its positives. For me it is not
something I would like to follow.
And what if she is offered a role out of
the blue? I will think about it only if
it does justice to me. At the moment I
am happy that our skills were noticed
and we became good friends. As for
the decision I think it was quite sub-
jective. I think Mahesh Bhatt had a
particular role in mind and someone
who fits that would be the winner.
After all there had to be only one win-
ner.
Another contestant that TIDU
talked to was Gautam Koul or G-Luv.
Studying masters in IT in Canberra,
Gautam explained that G-Luv is an
improved and better version of
Gautam, nothing else. Gautam who
has acted in over 8 short films, done
acting at NIDA, says, I grew up act-
ing, dancing and am also into
hiphop.
He says, Initially I was scared
seeing the talent but as I went ahead I
felt confident. Bollywood Star was
one of the best and a life-changing
experience for me. I felt I would be
the last man standing as I felt quite
confident that I had made it. But I am
happy that I have done a great job and
Mahesh Bhatt reassured me which
gives give me the confidence to go
back and try for it again.
The last scene rant in front of
Mahesh Bhatt, wasnt it a bit too
much? Replies Gautam, The reason
for me being in Bollywood is that I
want to change the world. I saw and
felt for the common people on the
street. They made me more deter-
mined to fight for them. I thought let
me do my best to go for it.
How did he happen to choose the
character of a serial killer? Oh it was
not me, it was one of the characters of
Mahesh Bhatts film they wanted me
to act. Of someone who likes killing
women. But I still carried the part well
and spoke my dialogues in Hindi
which no other contestant did. People
liked my acting. I felt that I was going
to win.
I had personality, character and
substance. What more can a director
want, says Gautam still dreaming
about Bollywood.
Teigan Lloyd-Evans. She is of Welsh, Danish and Australian descent, and lives
on the Gold Coast. Shes always loved dancing, and over the years has
studied every style, from ballet to tap and jazz.
Teigan Llyod-Evans (winner), Sharon Johal and Gautam or G-Luv Koul were among the six finalists.
Community
By K. Raman
M
arriage is predestined and made in
heaven, so goes the saying. It is an
important, once in a lifetime
event. In Tamil system the bride and groom
are considered God and Goddess and there
should not be even a trace of business con-
notation attached to it. It should be holy all
the way; no wonder the wedlock was called
Gowri Kalyanam and Sita Kalyanam.
How times have changed. Divorce is,
now a days, commonplace. It is accepted,
nothing to be frowned upon. Marriage has
turned into an act of convenience.
There are many conditions made by the
involved parties before the modern day wed-
ding finally takes place. Around fifty years
ago the domineering side was the grooms
side. They dictated unbelievable and unreal-
istic terms and conditions. Directly or indi-
rectly, there was exchange of money, above
or under the table. They demanded every-
thing from water tumbler to a motor car.
It was amusing to the onlookers to watch
wedding negotiations being conducted the
grooms party making a grant entry to
brides home accompanied by the
Tharakan, the fair statured mediator and
skilled negotiator. The boy and girl look at
each other without even blinking their eyes
while negotiations and bargaining between
the two groups take place in earnest. Ladies
of the households just stand there with no
big involvement in the discussions.
In those days the girl child was a curse.
Even the birth announcement of a female
child brought a wail of sadness on the face
of childs parents, mainly because of the
anticipation of the mighty expenses waiting
for the childs wedding when it looms up
years later. The birth of a son was precious
because he had the prospect of getting big
dowry for his wedding. Without his pres-
ence and participation the parents would be
barred to enter heaven when they died.
Lately, theres been a power shift. Girls
are now picky and choosy while the grooms
side is receiving the payback they meted out
in earlier days. Good on ya girls.
One reason for the turnaround is that the
girls are getting highly educated and earn
high salaries. They are bold, self-supportive
and assertive. Right or wrong, the brides
demands look like acts of vengeance. They
look for husbands with higher academic
qualifications than theirs and earning a big-
ger pay packet. They look for a meek,
yours obediently (munthani/saree's end
holding type) man of their dream type, good
looking and the one taller than themselves,
with independent living status, owning a
house, vehicle, and with a good bank bal-
ance.
Recently, one prospective couples par-
ties gathered in a fashionable hotel to dis-
cuss the wedding, and before they began
any conversation the girl found the boy
shorter than her. Thumbs down, thats the
end of alliance.
Brides invariably look for one without
any unwanted baggage (large dependent
family). A groom with no parents is well
received. Even if there is such a baggage
it should be left behind eternally, with zilch
possibility of the old in-laws tagging along.
They make sure the oldies live on their own
in their ancestral home or in a retirement
accommodation, self- supporting.
Alternatively, the newly weds would move
over forever to a US destination to live in
peace.
If the grooms family has younger chil-
dren the alliance is totally rejected. Some
even stipulate the money earned by the bride
would be available to her parents till they
are alive. The bride wants unconditional
control over her life and some may say there
should be no barring her by anyone to go to
late night parties and on shopping sprees
with her friends.
There are instances where the grooms
parents are willing to foot the bill of major-
ity of wedding expenses if they get a girl of
their liking. In one instance a condition
emerged out of the blue that the boy should
resign his lucrative Dubai job and move
over to Coimbatore outskirts where the
bridal family lived. She insisted that she
would remain with her parents all her life.
The choice of selecting brides and
grooms from their own castes, sects and sub
sects are all gone with the wind. If you get
an alliance of that type it is a bonus to you.
Even if a Nischaya thambbolam occurs,
the modern girl would smoke the groom
out of his bearing and convictions and 'do-
mesticate' him to suit her convenience.
I heard of a bizarre reason of cancella-
tion of a wedding because the boy and girl
could not arrive at an amicable decision on
the honeymoon spot, one wanted to go
Maldives while the other wanted to visit
Kumarakam. Why not visit both?
There are now inter-caste marriages and
couples with big age gaps tie the knot. Even
food habits change as we hear the well
brought up Iyengar bride has started cook-
ing and eating meat dishes or the Bengali
groom has become vegetarian leaving aside
his fish delicacies to please his young bride.
Then there are cases when the parents
compete among themselves in ornamenting
the girl with loads of jewellery. You might
have heard about the petite Nair bride who
stumbled down because she wore her jew-
ellery weighing kilos of Gold on her flimsy
neck.
Dowry system was prevalent in Vedic
times, too. What happened to God
Tirupathy Venkatachalapathy. He still
repays the borrowed dowry money to
Kubera with no end of a settlement in sight
due to the Shylock attitude of Kubera. Good
or bad, these happenings are cyclic and God
destined.
Till marriage do us part
In Tamil system the bride and groom are considered God and Goddess and there should not be even
a trace of business connotation attached to it.
Right or wrong, the modern brides demands look like acts of vengeance.
They look for husbands with higher academic qualifications than theirs
and earning a bigger pay packet.
The wedlock was once
called Gowri Kalyanam
and Sita Kalyanam in
South India, but the wed-
ding negotiations, often
dictated by the bride-
grooms side, were far
from holy. Now, mar-
riage has turned into an
act of convenience. Also,
girls are now picky and
choosy while the
grooms side is receiving
the payback they meted
out in earlier days.
Bollywood
By Neeru Saluja
A
s she descended from the glass lift
at Taj Blue, it seemed as if an
Indian goddess had alighted in
Sydney. Dressed in a blue jumpsuit and
gold necklace with green and red stones,
she looked stunning. No doubt the whole of
India went crazy with her item number
Munni Badnaam Hui!
Last year Malaika Arora Khan dumb-
founded everyone when she returned to
sway her body in her home production
Dabaang. With a well toned body and the
right jhatkas, no one could imagine how
hot a mummy can look! A style icon,
Malaika has donned various hats as a MTV
VJ, actress, dancer, TV host, judge and
now producer with her husband Arbaaz
Khan.
Malaika Arora Khan was here recently
as the guest of the Indian Film Festival
with Bengali director Rituparno Ghosh.
Malaika has come a long way since her
MTV days. Fresh from college, she was
selected as a VJ for MTV and then did
some modelling. She met her husband
Arbaaz Khan during the shoot of a coffee
ad, got married, had a kid, but never lost
touch with the tinsel town.
From Chaiya Chaiya to Anarkali disco
chali, Munni has danced straight into film-
goers hearts. Lets know more about the
yummy mummy, who makes every man go
weak in his knees and every woman feel
awe of her figure
Malaika has always known to manage
her home, kid and work gracefully. How
do you balance work and motherhood?
Just like any other mum! Its no dif-
ferent, we work and we juggle. As women
we are born with that talent. My family has
been very supportive which is a great help.
If Im at work, there is always someone at
home to look after my son.
Arbaaz is very good, quips Mitu
Bhomwick, the woman behind bringing
Malaika here. We have known each other
for 15 years, and Malaika is a hands-on
mum. And you know me, I dont praise
anyone just like that. She co-produced
Dabaang with Arbaaz but never neglected
home. If you are wondering how does she
maintain such a figure, I have to tell you
she never diets and Im witness to her hav-
ing a great appetite!
There is no second thought that
Malaika boasts the best figure in the indus-
try. Amongst the mummy brigade, she is
the yummiest of all. While Aish has been
facing criticism post-pregnancy, we ask
Malaika what she thinks about it. Malaika
rises to her defence, We need to give her
a break. Media has to back off. We all
know this is not an easy task. It takes a lot
of effort to get back to work after being a
mum. They have to back off and give her
own time. Hitting the gym and losing those
pounds takes a lot of effort.
Malaika has carved her own niche
amongst the leading ladies of today.
Though she has never acted as a leading
lady in movies, she has been stereotyped as
an item girl since her Munni Badnaam hui
become a hit.
I never wanted to act. I never had the
desire to be an actress. So when people say
they went to see Dabaang to see my item
number, its a nice feeling. Being the pro-
ducer of the same film, it feels good to see
your own success.
Apart from being an item girl, Malaika
has acted in a few films, been a VJ and a
TV talent show judge. But she has always
enjoyed dancing the most. She takes her
inspiration from home. I have always
admired Helen Aunty who dances so grace-
fully. Madhuri Dixit is also a goddess
when it comes to dance. In terms of films,
every Friday who catches my fancy is a
winner.
The next question that comes to our
mind is her favourite male actor, and of
course not from home. Now that is a dif-
ficult question, because when I go back
home one or the other member will ask
why I didnt name them! Well, Mr
Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan
all of them are good actors.
How was it getting married into a filmi
family?
It was tough! My mum hit the ceiling
when she came to know Im dating an
actor. She flipped as she comes from a
Malayali Catholic family. My in-laws are a
very open minded, progressive family with
a mix of all religions and welcoming all.
Being a mum of a nine-year-old son,
Malaika has also voiced her views on
young children participating in dance com-
petitions. I was not too happy with the age
of some participants in the show. But the
society thinks that kids are just showcasing
their talent. For me, I believe at that age
kids should not lose their innocence and
should not be thinking about being so com-
petitive.
My son loves playing cricket and foot-
ball and I would like him to be brought up
like any normal kid.
A super mum, a super model, VJ,
actress, dancer, what is Malaika when she
is not all of this?
When Im not Malaika, I have my
tracks on and will hit the gym! Like any
mum I will take my kid to school, I also
enjoy cooking. I hope my wish of opening
a restaurant comes true one day! You
wont believe it but Im also glued to
Master Chef Australia. Me and my son
watch it regularly, and we are bowled over
by the Junior MasterChef!
Last but not the least, what is the secret
of being so fit at this age?
(Smiles) My secret of being fit is
going to the gym and living a healthy
lifestyle.
I always wake up on time and wherev-
er I am, go for a run or hit the gym. I also
do yoga and never have had any dietary
restrictions. I never starve myself and eat
to my hearts content, Malaika says.
Anarkali Sydney Chali
Malaika Arora featured in Anarkali Disco Chali item number in hit film Housefull
2, soon after the success of Munni Badnam Hui in Dabaang last year.
Organiser of Indian Film Festival 2012 Mitu Bhowmick Lange with Malaika.
M
alaika was
accompa-
nied to the
Indian Film Festival
by film director
Rituparno Ghosh
whose film
Chitrangada was
screened at the
opening night.
Chitrangada, with
lead character
played by Rituparno
himself, is a take on
R a b i n d r a n a t h
Tagores dance drama of the same name
based on a tale from Mahabharata, where
the king wants his daughter Chitrangada
to become the prince of Manipura since
he doesnt have a son to succeed him. But
Chitrangada wants to remain a girl.
In the film, Jisshu Sengupta dumps
the Rituparno character because of a curi-
ous turn of events. The twist in the tale
comes when he returns to Ritu again dur-
ing a moment of crisis, Rituparno who
is known for his offbeat films, said at the
press conference.
Bengali cinema is more open to art
and women-centric films, he said. And
in answer to a question he added, To
direct as well as act at the same time is
quite difficult. I lost the benefit of my
own direction.
Although I worked hard learning
Odissi rigorously for over two months
and went through an operation to lose
weight on my waist for the role of
Chitrangada, my assistants let me be.
Rituparno Ghosh's take on
Tagore's Chitrangada
Community
NSW Maharashtra Cricket
Cup to be held in October
Ayyappa Swamy installed in
Guildford, Sydney
N
SW Premier Barry OFarrell
announced the charity crick-
et tournament to begin later
this year between NSW and India
that has attracted international spon-
sorship.
The NSW Maharashtra Cricket
Cup to be held in Western Sydney
in October will be sponsored by
China Southern Airlines.
Mr OFarrell said, The tourna-
ment between the Mumbai Cricket
Association and Cricket NSW was
established during my trade mission
to India last November. It was
agreed between the two States that
the proceeds of the biennial game
between a NSW XI and a
Maharashtra XI would be directed
to charity. With China Southern
Airlines getting behind the event,
two of our key trading partners,
India and China have come together.
This is another run on the board for
the NSW Multicultural Business
Advisory Panel (MBAP) which
negotiated the sponsorship agree-
ment worth about $200,000. I con-
gratulate MBAP chairman Nihal
Gupta who met both China Southern
Airlines and the Mumbai Cricket
Association during our trade mis-
sions last year and has now success-
fully brought the two parties togeth-
er. Funds raised during the inaugu-
ral China Southern Airlines
Tournament will go to the 40K
Foundation which takes on joint
venture projects to reduce poverty in
developing countries.
Premier was moved to see first-
hand, the work of the 40K
Foundation during his visit in
November last years to the Banyan
School in Bangalore - a project for
the education and support of 200
impoverished children whose par-
ents work in nearby quarries.
Each series, a different charity
will be chosen to benefit from this
new relationship that strengthens the
already strong ties between our two
states. With the support of China
Southern, former Australian cricket
captain Mark Taylor AO as
Ambassador, and the commitment of
the two cricket associations I am
confident the inaugural event will be
a success, Mr OFarrell said.
China Southern Regional
General Manager Australia/New
Zealand Henry He said the airline
was thrilled to be involved in such
an exciting new venture that con-
nected two of its biggest growth
markets through sport.
We know how important crick-
et is to India and Australia - and
China Southern is proud to help
strengthen the sporting bonds
between the two states, Maharashtra
and NSW. The China Southern
Airlines Tournament is the airlines
first foray into Australian sport,
Mr He said.
S
ydney Sri Ayyappa Swami
Centre has installed Lord
Ayyappan together with
Kubera Ganapathy in their own
home at Unit 20, 116-18
McCredie Road, Guildford West,
NSW 2161 after a long wait of 12
years since its inception in 1999.
Lord Ayyappa devotees dream
came true on June 10 with special
ritualistic homams, abhishekams,
archana and poojas from dawn to
dusk, attended by well over 250
devotees and their families. The
centres short-term plans are to
within couple of months install
Nagaraja, Manjamatha and
Karuppan Swami to replicate
Sabari Malai deities. The most
fundamental Hindu value is that
God resides in everyone. Thus
everyone is equal in the eyes of
God. Mutual trust and respect
are important for harmonious liv-
ing. Though there are many gods
in Hinduism, all paths lead to the
same God. There are different
ways to reach God, by prayers
and bhakti, and by rituals and
meditation. Sri Ayyappa Worship
is based on the simplest bhakti
path, where followers collectively
sing the praises of God and sur-
render totally to the lotus feet of
Lord Ayyappa. These are prac-
tised and followed by millions of
Ayyappa devotees from all over
the world as it appeals to all irre-
spective of their religion, caste or
language. Hindus believe that
God is omnipresent. God can see
and hear anything and everything.
No one can hide anything from
Him. Even though God is every-
where, in order to focus ones
mind and to create right atmos-
phere for concentration and medi-
tation, temples places of wor-
ship play an important role in
our life. The worships are con-
ducted and managed in accor-
dance with set rules of Vedas and
Agamas. Hindu life closely
revolves around temples, in edu-
cation, entertainment through
important festivals and feasts, and
rituals. Temples also play an
important role in organising social
events encouraging free educa-
tion, shelter, food and protection
for the needy.
Lord Ayyappa Prayer Centre
is open every day Morning:
08.00am to 10.00am; Evening:
06.30pm to 08.30pm. For further
information & pooja booking
please contact the Management
Committee. Contact details:
Mohan : 0425 218 622,
Rengarajan : 0448 757 785,
Sivam Raja : 0414 300 226,
Venkatraman : 0400 637 958
Email: sydneyayyappan @
yahoo.com.au.
E
ngland has been lucky and prosperous
under the realm of Queens!And so is
the reign of Queen Elizabeth II of the
House of Windsor supreme!
Today the British Empire has shrunk to a
smaller degree,
Yet the Commonwealth of Nations stands
aloft, embracing many countries & democra-
cies.
Born on 21st April, 1926 and growing
up in a well-bonded, happy family.
Destiny made her Heir Presumptive in
1936 surprisingly!
With King Edward VIIIs abdication &
the Duke of Yorks imminent succession in
all formality
When onwards began her grooming for
her future responsibility.
Fate introduced her to a handsome young
prince during her fourteenth year age,
Who soon won her heart and admiration
at every stage!
Least knowing he was destined to be her
lifes partner & Prince Consort to this day.
Ever supportive, they remain a charming
couple in a special way!
Her wedding on 22nd November 1947 to
Prince Philip of Greece, Duke of Edinburgh
Created great news and immense joy,
after the grim 2nd World War saga.
It was celebrated with great joy, pomp
and pageantry
And she was focused forever, in full
glare & publicity.
Her coronation in 1952 after her beloved
father, King George VIs sad passing away,
Commenced another Elizabethan era
from the mid 20th Century to this present
day..
2012 has witnessed her regimes
Diamond Jubilee celebration.
Another great landmark, after Queen
Victorias similar commemoration!
Honouring the vows she pledged on
accession day,
From twenty-seven years of age, contin-
ues to fulfil with sincerity and conscientious
way.
With strong will power, tolerance and a
profound sense of duty.
She continues imprinting golden chapters
in British monarchy and history!
Blessed with four children, eight grand-
children and two great grandchildren
Her life was steered through many dif-
ferences, problems and peaceful terrain
Yet her selfless service and commitment
to a Sovereigns duty
Totally absorbs her days as top priority!
Many presidents have changed, States
merged and political parties risen and fallen
Yet Queen Elizabeth II continues her
royal duties with grace and dedication.
May Her Majesty be blessed with long
life and good health to prolong her unique
role
And may the bands keep playing God
Save the Queen wherever she goes!
This year celebrates 60 years of the
Queens coronation.
Premier Barry O'Farrell
teaches cricket to Mr He of
China Southern airlines.
The deity at the Sydney Sri Ayyappa Swami Centre.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
A tribute in verse by Jogmaya Narpatsingh
Community
By Neena Badhwar
W
inter time is something
when one wants to be
warm and cosy, like in a
hall full of audience and a night
full of soulful numbers. Talat
would be great, but in his absence,
Sydneys own Avijit Sarkar will be
no less. A while ago The Indian
Down Under had given him the
title of Hemant Da of Sydney.
But there is more. Avijit is also
the Manna Dey and now Talat
Mehmood, too.
Avijit has spent his last 35
years in Sydney singing on stage,
entertaining us with his versatile
voice. He is a delight to hear as he
belts famous songs of Talat. The
concert is in aid of the Breast
Cancer Foundation and a benevo-
lent member of the community
topped up the donation with equal
contribution. Is it the charisma
Avijit has or is it the choice of
Talat songs that creates the magic?
As we enter the hall we wonder
if anyone is in there as the precinct
is dead quiet with doors firmly
secured. And suddenly, as some-
one opens the door, we are privy
to an audience totally enamoured
and absorbed in an era of olden
goldies and the love, sad and blue
mood numbers, as if Talat, him-
self, is there that night.
Talat Mahmood sang softer,
ghazal type songs which he intro-
duced using his inimitable style,
playing harmonium himself and
added matka sound. Most of his
poetry originated from great poets
of the era, such as Sahir
Ludhianavi, Raja Mehndi Ali
Khan, Majrooh Sultanpuri, Kumar
Barabankwi and Rajender Kishan.
Most of the songs that Talat sang
became well known only because
they had memorable lyrics from
those great poets.
It is a night of the select best of
Talat with Avijit singing Jaayen to
jaayen kahan. Each number is bet-
ter than the last. Pushpa Jagadish
singing Itna na mujhse tu pyar
badaenamours the audience and
they wait for the next. Sham-e
gham ki kasam, Main dil hun ik
armaan bhara. Guitar player
Sadiq Rehmani sings his child-
hood favourite Tasveer banata
hun. It is a night of perfect tribute
to the singing great of a bygone
era. Avijit makes a befitting bridge
to an era of singers who are a part
of our body, mind and soul. With
those songs we grew up, we car-
ried them in our heart as we moved
to the new country and we will go
carrying the nostalgic numbers
within us from this world.
With Avijit we feel transported
to Talats era and ask for more. He
could not leave without a promise,
that there will be encore.
By Kersi Meher-Homji
W
hen other crooners
sing, Hemant Kumar
seemed to hum, so gen-
tle was his delivery. And so does
Suhas Mahajan.
The criterion of a good song
is that it makes you hum for
weeks after you have heard it.
Suhas Aap ke Haseen Rukh
pe., Mera dil machal gaya to
mera kya kasur hai by
Mohammad Rafi has that appeal
for me.
It was a pleasant experience
interviewing him after the
songfest.
Who and what inspired you to
sing, Suhas? Your hero/role
model?
All top singers from the
bygone era were influential to me
but Lata ji was mainly instrumen-
tal. She has a divine voice, it goes
straight to the soul and stays there
forever! No favourite singer --
love each singer for the jewels
they have given us, Hemant for
the soft songs, Kishore for all the
flamboyant songs for the young
and restless, Asha for the various
songs that she is known for and
Rafi and Lata for their hundreds
of beautiful hits.
Did you have a chance to
meet and chat with them?
No, I have not had the for-
tune of meeting any great singers.
But when you can listen to them
why is it essential to meet them?
The sounds are more precious.
Its like asking: Are you interest-
ed in eating the mangoes or
counting the trees? I truly love the
lyrics of old songs. Immaculate,
very meaningful and not flamboy-
ant. I sometimes think that we are
so fortunate to be in that time
zone.
Any music in your family?
My grandmother had a beau-
tiful voice and I remember put-
ting my head on her lap listening
to her. My Dad loves music and
he was and is an avid listener. He
has always encouraged me to
develop.
Your most memorable
moments?
Most memorable moments
continue to be when I see the
audience relive those olden days
while listening to these songs
now.
How do you balance your
business as a finance adviser and
your hobby as a crooner?
Balance is quite easy as
nothing interesting is happening
in the stock markets, so Im
immersing myself into the
songs!
When did you come to
Sydney?
I left India in early 80's and
am in Sydney for the past 12
years. I have two kids, my son
has just graduated as an
Aeronautical Space Engineer and
my daughter is a budding writer!
My wife is a big support and has
always encouraged me.
Your ambition?
My ambition is to sing better
and reach the souls of my listen-
ers.
Any special message for your
listeners?
Every one of us is a singer
and we should not hesitate to
explore. Singing takes us closer
to the creator and we experience
an inner happiness.
Happy humming, Suhas!
Sydney remembers Talat through Avijit
He hums like Hemant
hes Suhas Mahajan
T
he Mehfil-e-shaam
organised by India
Club in May was a
night of nostalgia as the
melodies of Hemant
Kumar, Mohammad Rafi,
Lata Mangeshkar, Asha
Bhosle and Jagjit Singh
were brought back to life.
The regulars were
there: Vinod Rajput, Suhas
Mahajan and Pushpa
Jagdish. The repertoire
was enhanced by the live-
ly, young and effervescent
Reena Mehta - the Asha of
Sydney - who wowed the
audience with the Howrah
Bridge number Mera
naam chin chin chu. Not
one person was not clap-
ping and tapping as she
continued: Mai Cheen se
aayee, Cheeni jaisa dil
laayee.
Not even a traffic
chaos in Sydney stopped
sangeet-divanas (music-
lovers) to attend the con-
cert in droves at the
Epping Centre. Pushpa,
the Lata of Sydney, started
off with Aap ki nazaro n
samjha and it was time to
travel down memory lane,
going back to 1960s and
70s.
It is difficult to pin-
point the best rhythms
among the 31 rhapsodies
as all were equally uplift-
ing for the ear and the
soul. Suhas Mahajans
Bekarar karke hamein yu
na jaiyee from Bees Saal
Baad took me back to my
schooldays. More like
Pachaas saal baad now,
and still as enchanting.
Equally hauntingly
nostalgic were the duets
Aajaa sanam madhur
and Ek pardesi mera dil
le gaya by Vinod and
Pushpa. Then Pushpa and
Suhas shared the mike
with the Kashmir ki kali
classic Deewana hua
badal and Mujhe kitna
pyaar hai tumse from Dil
tera Diwana.
This was followed by
my favourite song
bewitchingly hummed by
Suhas: Mera dil machal
gaya to mera kya kasoor
hai.
Then Vinod made us
sing-along with his inim-
itable Merey man ki
ganga from Sangam, his
film heroine assuring him
at the end that Sangam
hoga, hoga, hoga!
The concert ended on a
high note with Jhumka
gira re and Aye meri
zohra zabeen as the audi-
ence gave all four singers a
standing ovation.
Compere Rajeev
Chaturvedi kept us amused
during breaks with humor-
ous comments and shairi
as he introduced each
singer.
And those running the
sound system did an excel-
lent job, too.
Congratulations to Shubha
Kumar, the President of
India Club, who organised
the Mehfil with panache.
Bol Radha to Mera naam chin chin
chu, it was a melodic songfest
Kersi Meher-Homji was there, tapping his toes
Suhas Mahajan
Reena Mehta, Suhas Mahajan, Pushpa Jagadish and Vinod Rajput
keeping the Sydney music scene alive.
Vinod Rajput's Band Baja entertained seniors of the Indian Seniors Group
Hornsby with 85-year old Mrs Meera Raheja, the founder of the group.
Avijit Sarkar and Pushpa Jagadish
Community
May - June 2012 THE INDIAN DOWN UNDER 25
Indian Consulate in Sydney to hold
Running for India contest!
I
f you love India and if
you love to run, the CGI
have a small and informal
contest for the community!
If you participate in the
Sydney Running Festival
(any of the four runs on 16
September 2012), or in the
City2Surf run (12 August
2012) - while wearing a T-
shirt with a prominent dis-
play of an Indian design/sym-
bol or (even better!) an
Indian costume - they will
select two winners (one each
from Sydney Running
Festival and City2Surf) and
take them (and their +1s) out
for dinner (plus a surprise
gift for each winner!).
To participate in the con-
test, all you need to do is to
submit photos of yourself
running and crossing the fin-
ishing lines at either of these
events and point the consulate
to your finishing times when
the official results are
declared. Your photos should
clearly show your T-
shirt/costume and your run-
ning bib, which should corre-
spond to the official results.
Dont forget to Like their
Facebook page first!
Finishing time is not impor-
tant. That's all!
CGI will add all the par-
ticipants' photos to a
"Running for India" album
on their Facebook page. This
is an informal contest open to
everyone (regardless of citi-
zenship, age, gender or any
other criteria) who is running
at either of these events. The
judging will be (naturally)
subjective, but they urge you
to be creative with your T-
shirt/costume ideas and get
your friends to "like" your
photos!
Start training, and spread
the word!
M
s/Mrs India Quest
2012 night of
finals finally hap-
pened on June 2 after a
long eager wait. The event
was fun filled with 4 rounds
of beauty pageant and vari-
ous entertainment items
interlaced in between to
ensure maximum crowd
enjoyment.
Chief Guest at the occa-
sion was none other than
the Honourable Consul
General of India Dr
Subhakanta Behera.
The event opened with
an enthralling Odissi dance
performance by Mrs
Rajashree Behera and after
that the event rolled on.
The main rounds of the
event opened with an intro-
duction of all the 17 partici-
pating beauties followed by
a personality round where
the contestants showcased
their evening gowns.
The designer of that
round was Dewi Youraja.
Following this the girls
went on to showcase their
fitness levels in the fitness
round. Then came the west-
ern round with all the beau-
ties dressed up in western
attire where the designer
was Mrs Navneet Sandhu.
The final round was scintil-
lating Indian round courtesy
Mrs Saima Qureshi from
Wardrobe.
In between the main
rounds there was brilliant
dance performance by little
guests Samar & Esha, who
stole everyones heart.
There was a casual catwalk
by the sponsors and partici-
pants husbands and kids. A
very notable entertainment
was provided by Ms Veena
Sree and Mr Shriram Iyer
who sang catchy Bollywood
numbers to audience
delight.
There was Gidda by
Dilpreet & team and Dhol
performance by Sunny &
team as well in the end to
keep the guests delighted.
The finals were won by
Ms Deepti Sharma who
took the Ms India Earth
title and Mrs Priyanka
Dewan who took the Mrs
India Universe title. Apart
from this there were numer-
ous other titles provided as
well to recognise the girls
for their hard work.
The team and manage-
ment at Ms/Mrs India Quest
congratulated the winners
who showed enormous tal-
ent and did best on the
night. The judges of the
evening were Dr
Subhakanta Behera himself,
Mrs Krishna Arora, Ms
Melaine Morgan and Ms Jo
Griffin.
The main organiser of
the event was Mrs Anamika
Srivastava and her team of
volunteers who helped make
the event a grand success.
She thanked all the media
partners and sponsors.
The finals were won by Ms
Deepti Sharma who took
the Ms India Earth title
and Mrs Priyanka Dewan
who took the Mrs India
Universe title.
Deepti Sharma and Priyanka Dewan win at
Melbournes Ms/Mrs India Quest 2012
Arun Kumar Goel joins as Consul
General of India, Sydney
M
r. Arun Kumar Goel is a career
diplomat. After obtaining a
Masters degree in Economics
from Panjab University, Chandigarh in
1975, he started his working life at the age
of 21 by joining the State Bank of India as
a Probationary Officer in 1975. In 1979,
after working for four years in banking,
Mr. Goel left SBI where he was a branch
manager and joined the Indian Foreign
Service in 1979. In his diplomatic career,
he has served in various capacities at Indian
diplomatic missions in Bonn, Baghdad,
Prague and Dakar. He was Consul General
of India in Hamburg (2000-04) and High
Commissioner of India in Seychelles (2004-
08). Prior to taking charge as Consul
General in Sydney, he was working in the
Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi
as Joint Secretary responsible for Indias
bilateral relations with the countries of
South-East Asia and Pacific, including
Australia and New Zealand.
NSW and South Australia are currently
under Consulate General, Sydneys jurisdic-
tion which looks after consular services for
both the states.
Arun Kumar Goel
26 THE INDIAN DOWN UNDER May - June 2012
Bollywood
By Vish Viswanathan
I do not accept failures, said

Priyanka Chopra, the
Bollywood darling of mil-
lions of fans throughout the world,
when asked how she remained
most successful. She was at the
media conference organised
recently by Mind Blowing Films
for their Indian Film Festival 2012
in Melbourne.
Former Miss World, Priyanka
was accompanied by six other
leading Indian film personalities,
including superstar Shahid
Kapoor, producer/director Kunal
Kohli, animation director Jugal
Hansraj, acclaimed designer and
producer Sabyasachi Mukherjee
and producer Vicky Bahri.
They made Bollywood come
alive in Melbourne as they walked
the red carpet on the opening night
of the Film Festival and participat-
ed in the lively media conference
for an hour. The organiser of
Melbourne and Sydneys most suc-
cessful Indian Festival, Director
Mitu Bhowmick Lange was also
present. It was a unique opportu-
nity to listen to the glitterati from
the increasingly growing
Bollywood industry in an informal
setting as if one was chatting with
close friends in the lounge room of
a house.
I do not accept any role which
I cannot put my heart to, said
Priyanka, adding that her family
has been the greatest source of
strength behind her efforts to
remain successful in the Indian
film industry. I was lucky to get
so many challenging roles with
many esteemed directors including
Kunal Kohli and Vicky Bahri, pro-
ducers of my latest movie Teri
Meri Kahaani, she said.
Australia is an amazing coun-
try with its people offering so
much of love and support. Indian
films are now universally accepted
as our films offer action, drama,
delightful music, celebration and
most importantly, Indian culture,
as 19 per cent of the box office hit
movies in UK are Indian, she
said. Shahid Kapoor supported this
by stating that his fans include
those from many non-English
speaking countries such as Croatia
as he stumbled about their knowl-
edge and love for the Bollywood
movies.
The chemistry between
Priyanka and Shahid was quite
obvious as they teased each other,
whenever they got the opportunity.
We were born this way,
joked Shahid when asked if he
attended any acting classes or
coaching.
I learnt so much and owe my
career to my dad, Pankaj Kapoor.
I have undergone many auditions
without success and learnt the hard
way, said Shahid candidly.
I was also fortunate to partic-
ipate in IIFA Singapore and it was
a lot of fun, added Shahid who
was disappointed that he could
spend only 36 hours on his first
visit to Australia, promising that
he would spend more time during
his next visit.
Shahid, Priyanka, Kunal Kohli
and Vicky Bahri were also sup-
porting the World Premiere of
their latest film Teri Meri
Kahaani, a beautiful love story of
three generations spanning the
years 1910-2012 with its songs
already a global hit.
The producer/director of Teri
Meri Kahaani and director of
many successful movies such as
Fanaa, Kunal Kohli said that one
had to be passionate in doing any
role. Even the most difficult role
needs an effortless performance to
emerge successful in acting.
Charlie Chaplin was an example.
Every film of mine is challeng-
ing, for instance, Fanaa was the
love story of a terrorist. On the
other hand Teri Meri Kahani is a
very interesting journey. Very dif-
ferent and very light. The three
roles of Shahid and Priyanka are
very different to each other in the
same movie, said Kunal who may
consider shooting on Australian
locations for one of his future
movies.
Sabyasachi and Jugal Hansraj
conducted workshops on fashion
design and Master classes in ani-
mation techniques respectively for
the enthusiastic participants in
Melbourne.
Summing up the Indian Film
Festival, Director Mitu Bhowmick
Lange said, We have been truly
honoured with the presence of
such an extraordinary talent in
Melbourne for the festival and it is
a fantastic opportunity for
Melbourne film lovers.
The Indian Film Festival 2012,
an initiative of the Victorian
Government to strengthen cultural
and trade relations between India
and Victoria, was formally opened
on June 11 in Melbourne by Ted
Baillieu, Premier of Victoria.
Indian films have universal appeal
I do not accept any role which I cannot put my heart to, said Priyanka.
The reigning No 1 Bollywood heroine, Priyanka Chopra, and heartthrob Shahid Kapoor, costars of
the new film Teri Meri Kahaani, were in Melbourne for the Indian Film Festival 2012.
Shahid Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra were at the Melbourne
Cricket Ground in Australia to promote their upcoming film
Teri Meri Kahaani.
Community
By Neena Badhwar
P
eople from India make the fastest grow-
ing community in Australia, registering
a whopping 100 per cent increase.
Since the 2006 Census, Punjabi as a language
now shows a 207 per cent increase, according
to the latest Census figures released by the
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) to the
ethnic media on June 26 at the Le Montage
Function Centre in Leichhardt.
Census 2011 results were declared by Dr
Jill Charker, the First Assistant Statistician,
ABS. She said on the occasion, The ABS
worked hard turning about 6.1 millions forms
and about 2.8 million eCensus submissions
into the data that would fundamentally shape
our nation for the next five years supporting
planning, decision making and funding at all
levels of government planning.
2011 Census revealed that more and
more people from Asia and other parts of the
world are calling Australia their home with
Indian-born as the fastest growing community
showing more than 100 per cent increase.
Hinduism as religion showed the fastest
growth too. Chinese and Indians have made to
the top ten of the ancestries of people settling
here, she said.
Nihal Gupta, Chair NSW Multicultural
Business Advisory Panel, said, The Census
data is not only useful but important and inte-
gral to allow us to track and monitor the
growth of the culturally diverse population.
Since 1945, Australia has accepted 7 million
migrants and these migrants have transformed
our country into the rich and diverse and very
successful multicultural nation that it is today.
The culturally diverse population
between 1996 and 2009 of people born over-
seas increased from 4.3 million to 5.5 million
people which means that most of the migrants
of those 7 million people have come in the last
decade. Between 2001 and 2006 the China-
born population increased by 45 % and since
2006 it has grown further by 37 %.
2011 Census for NSW shows that
Indian-born community has grown a massive
67 per cent and that largest non-English
speaking people are from either China or
India. Two percent of all NSW residents were
born in India and 3.4 per cent born in China.
Hence China and India are very important for
policy settings of NSW. They provide the
fastest growth of visitors who provide six bil-
lion worth of revenue. China and India are
also very large investment partners. The
Census data help us plan strategically to work
with these communities, to track trends and to
modify services, said Mr Gupta.
Dr Geoff Lee, MP from Parramatta, said
that Parramatta was the perfect example of
multiculturalism and the current Census
proves it. "I look forward to the continuing
development of this area as Sydney's own
Indian Quarter and welcome the continued
diversity that all of Parramatta's multi-cultur-
al communities bring to the area".
The Indian community has grown from
147,000 to 295,000 in the last five years.
There are 111,351 speakers of Hindi lan-
guage in Australia according to the Census
2011. Indians were much younger in age (25-
29 years) than the Australians, who, as a
whole, were older with an average age at 37
years. Most of the Hindi speakers had parents
born overseas (96.8%) and most of them were
(73.5% - 81, 892) Hindus with 9.5% (10,
543) Muslims, 3.8% (4,213) Sikhs and 2.7%
(3,060) Western Catholics. While Buddhists
on national level were 528,979, about 2.5 %
of total population, yet only 341 said that they
are Buddhists from India a country from
where Buddhism originated.
Most Hindi speaking households (16.3%)
earned $1,500 - $1,999 weekly income
where as on national level that numbers drops
to 12.6%. Majority of Hindi speaking people
were in the top bracket as income earners
with almost 34 % earning more than $2000
weekly. Hindi speakers also took education
seriously with 85.1 % (76,667) finishing year
12. While Australian average of registered
marriage stood at 49.2 %, Hindi speakers
were way above averaging at 66.8%, around
60,419 people. Two percent had de facto rela-
tionships (1,785).
Around 22 people from Hindi speaking
community identified as Aborigines and 13 as
Torres Strait Islanders, perhaps due to mar-
riage. Few Hindi speakers identified them-
selves as Same Sex couples at 0.1% (75).
Australia on the whole had 65,023 persons
identifying themselves as Same Sex couples.
While most of the Hindi speaking families had
1 child (45.9% - 10,646 families) or 2 chil-
dren ( 45.4% - 10, 529 families), there were
12 families with six or more children. 10.9 %
households owned their home outright as com-
pared to 32.1 Australian average whereas
16,472 owned their home with a mortgage and
12,937 living on rented properties.
Other interesting features about Indian
community in Census 2011 Results are:
Hinduism was the fastest growing
religion in Australia.
Indian migrant arriving from India
were the largest in number 13.1% of total
migrants arriving between 2006 and 2011.
While Hindi language is at ninth spot
nationally with 111,351 speakers, people
speaking Punjabi language at home were was
not far behind at spot Number 13 and had
grown by 207 % from the last Census of 2006
with numbers at 71,230.
While Hindus in NSW overall made
up 1.7% (119,802) of the population, City of
Blacktown had 8.3% of Hindus and 4.2% of
Sikhs. 4.5 % spoke Hindi, 4.4 spoke Punjabi,
1.2 % spoke Gujarati, 1.2 % spoke Bengali,
1.1 5 spoke Tamil, 0.8 % Urdu, 0.3 %
Telugu,0 .2% Malayalam, 0.2% Marathi and
0.1 % Kananda there.
Census 2011 established the chang-
ing demographic scene of Harris Park. Its no
wonder that Harris Park has been given the
title of Little India as Indian language speak-
ers dominated the area. Gujarati was the most
common language spoken amongst people
from Harris Park at 20.4% with English lag-
ging behind at 18.7 %. Hindi at 8.3%,
Punjabi at 6.5 %, Telugu 2.8%, Tamil at
1.1% and Nepali and Urdu both at 0.9 %,
Marathi at 0.6%, Malayalam at 0.3%,
Kannada at 0.2%. Altogether, Indian lan-
guages speakers make around 43% of total
Harris Park population and popular greeting
sign there should be Kem Chho and not
Namaste.
Hornsby area is made up of 5.1 % of
Indians who take third position behind
Australians and Chinese.
Liverpool has 5.9% Indians with
3.2% from Fiji. 7.5% of Liverpool people
were Hindus, 4.5 % spoke Hindi, 1.2%
Marathi, 1.1 Tamil, 1.1% Urdu, 0.9%
Kannada, 0.7 % Punjabi, 0.5 % Malayali,
0.4 % Bengali, 0.4% Telugu and 0.3%
Gujarati.
Strathfield a favourite of well-off
Indians, had only 2.6 % Hindi speakers com-
pared to Tamil at 3.4 % and Nepalis at 3.8%.
Telugu speakers were 1.7%, Gujarati 1.1%,
Urdu 0.6%, Bengali 0.5% and Punjabi also at
0.5%.
Always curious to find out about
Glenwood where we have our favorite
Parklea Gurdwara and a buzzing Punjabi
community, Indians make up 9.5 % of total
population and were the second most in num-
ber. English, in Glenwood, was still the dom-
inant language at 54.7 % - with Punjabi at
second place at 6.7%, Hindi third at 5.4%,
Tamil at 1.4%, Urdu at 1.1%, Gujarati at
0.7%, Bengali at 0.6%, Telugu at 0.4%.
There were 8.7 % Hindus in the area and
6.7% Sikhs.
Parramatta is also considered the
heart of Indian community with 20.1% people
identifying themselves as Hindus, 2.6% as
Sikhs. Parramatta has English speakers at
26.5% with Gujarati speakers at place four at
6.6%, Hindi at 5.8%, and Punjabi at 2.7%,
Telugu at 2.3%, Tamil at 2.2%, Bengali at
1.3%, Marathi at 0.6%, Malayali at 0.5%
and Kannada at 0.3% and Konkani at 0.2%.
Another area which always was con-
sidered to be the Little India with a belt of
Indian restaurants on Cleveland Street is
Surry Hills. Yet, it has very little to do with
Indians and Indian languages except the
Indian food there. Surry Hills showed Hindi
speakers at 0.3% (placed at number 19)
behind even Bengali 0.5% and Nepali speak-
ers 0.6% while Tamil at 0.2% and Punjabi
and Urdu merely at 0.1% both made up the
rest.
Dandenong in Victoria is considered
to be the heartland of Indians with shops
named as Little India. Although bigger in
population it still lags behind Harris Park
where 39 % are Indians. No wonder NSW
government wants to promote Harris Park as
Little India to tourists.
Harris Park is the Little India of Australia
People from India make the fastest growing community in Australia, registering a
whopping 100 per cent increase since the last census.
Census 2011 Results
Dr Geoff Lee, MP, with Raj Mahesh, owner of Go Cool fresh food market, and Victor Dominello,
Minister for Citizenship and Communities in Harris Park.
Bollywood
By Manju Mittal
T
he Bollywood king of disco,
musician, composer and play-
back singer, Bappi Lahiri has
done quite a number of films from
1969 till date. Known lovingly as
Bappi Da, he has not only composed
music in over 400 films but also he has
been playback singer for some of the
top movies. He was extremely popular
in the 1980s for his biggest hit songs
I am a disco dancer and Jimmy
Jimmy.
On June 9, Bappi Lahiri Concert
was held at Roxy theatre Parramatta.
MC Nitin Madan and Ambika Asthana
welcomed the audience with perform-
ances by Farahs dance group. Local
artist Anand Arora entertained the
audience with his beautiful songs even
as the audience eagerly waited for the
Disco king Bappi Lahiri. His entry was
absolutely amazing, dressed in black
andgold outfit, dark glasses and jew-
ellery. Bappi da touched the hearts of
the audience by singing Disco dancer
and Ooh La La..! The audience just
went berserk demanding to hear more
and more. He also made Fiji Indians
happy by singing Govindas item song
Angana mein baba. I have never seen
such an energising voice despite a con-
cert held in New Zealand before this
one and he seemed exhausted yet
amazed the audience by his outstanding
performance.
Bappi Lahiri popularized the use of
synthesized disco music in Indian cine-
ma with an Indian flavour. Most of his
songs would be rendered by Kishore
Kumar and Asha Bhosle. He also
launched Vijay Benedict and Sharon
Prabhakar into the music industry. He
also used Alisha Chinoy and Usha
Uthup extensively for his composi-
tions. Some of his music has often been
sampled by international musicians,
such as Dr. Dre, Truth Hurts, and
Prodigy, among others. His Disco
Dancer (1982) soundtrack has influ-
enced songs by artists such as Devo,
Ruki Vverh!, and M.I.A. His most
widely sampled song is "Come Closer"
from Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki
(1984), which has been sampled by
various musicians in recent years,
including Dabrye, A.G., Planet Asia,
"Zooby Zooby" Dance Dance
Kutmasta Kurt, Masta Ace, eMC, Edu
Kehkettunen, Stig Dogg, and Onra.
Throughout his career Lahiri has
been accused of plagiarising music pro-
duced by other composers without giv-
ing them any credit or royalties.
Conversely, in one instance, portions
of his song "Thoda Resham Lagta Hai"
were included in a 2002 single
"Addictive" by American R&B singer
Truth Hurts. Copyright holders
Saregama India, Ltd. sued Interscope
Records and its parent company,
Universal Music Group to the tune of
more than $500 million. A Los Angeles
federal judge subsequently barred fur-
ther sales of the CD unless and until
Lahiri was listed on the song's credits.
It was a pleasure to get such a tal-
ented celebrity again in Australia.
Organisers of the show Rakesh Major
and Maxine Salma worked hard to
bring an icon like Bappi. He proved he
is still a phenomenon and a charisma
for lovers of his style of Indian pop
though he may have aged.
King of Disco Ooh La
Las Sydney
Bappi Lahiri posing with the author
By Manju Mittal
W
ho would think of Heer
from Denmark which 33-
year-old Anita Lerche, an
extremely talented International
singer, song writer and composer,
released in November 2006 as her
first Punjabi album Heer from
Denmark. Anita sings in 16
Languages which includes Punjabi.
Yes! Punjabi. She is the first non
Asian woman from the west to sing
and release her own album in
Punjabi. She was also featured in
the song Aaoji aaya nu, Jugni and
Mahiya.
Anita Lerche was in Sydney in
May. It was an exciting experience
meeting her in person. Anita said
she started singing at the age of 7.
Her father used to play guitar and
music became her passion in life
from an early age.
She liked all different styles of
music like Pop, folk, Jazz and clas-
sical music. In 2001, she became
very busy doing theatre shows in
U.K and Denmark as well as doing
concerts around the world. A cou-
ple of months later her life took the
biggest turn ever when she was
invited to India and visit Punjab by
an Hoshiarpur based journalist
Anurag Sood.
It was love at first sight says
Anita as she fell in love with
Punjabi culture and music instantly.
She faced lots of difficulties while
learning Punjabi language, she said,
It took a lot of patience and end-
less practice to make the right pro-
nunciation, adding that even the
singing style of Punjabi music is
quite different from that of western
music. But there was no stopping
for Anita as she went on to earn
Punjabi music award in 2007 and
acknowledged by Punjabi universi-
ty, Patiala, for her grand work for
Punjabi culture and language.
On May 19, Indian Australian
Dancing star show was held at
Sydney Bahai Center, Silverwater,
where Anita Lerche performed live
on stage. Over a 1000strong
Sydney audience experienced Anita
setting the stage alive as all danced
and sang to her renderings in
Punjabi. It was an eye-popping
experience of a gori singing and
talking in Punjabi who calls herself
Heer.
Wearing Punjabi outfit, singing
Punjabi songs, Anita danced grace-
fully and was just amazing.
Anita stole every ones heart
with her voice and wonderful per-
sonality. She even surprised us
when she sang Hindi bhajans.
It was a pleasure to get such a
sweet and talented celebrity in
Sydney. All the way from
Denmark, who could believe a
Danish Gori girl would entertain us
all with pure Punjabi pop.
Unbelievable isnt it?
You had to be there that night to
believe and see for yourself how
Punjabi songs have globalised their
impact and a lesson for us all to
connect to our own culture which
we have left behind. People like
Anita inspire us to appreciate and
keep connected to our own culture
which has a rich tradition of music.
Unforgettable experience
with Anita Lerche
Anita Lerche and Manju Mittal
June-July 2012 THE INDIAN DOWN UNDER 33
Bollywood
By Neeru Saluja
I
ts always worth the wait for Sonu
Nigam. His charm, wit and humility make
it worth. And while I wait, I take a trip
down memory lane with my favourite singer
Sonu Nigam.
The year was 1995 - the cable TV had
just boomed, and while we were becoming
couch potatoes, there came a fresh breeze in
the form of Sonu Nigam - the host of Sa Re
Ga Ma, TVs first music talent competition.
With his velvety voice and earnest, humble
Mohd Rafi clad look, he instantly won the
hearts of many ladies (read aunties) and girls.
Soon after, he made heartbroken lovers cry
more with his Acha Sila Diya. Offers to
sing in films started to pour in. He rose to
fame with Sandese Aate hain from Border
and then came Pardes, Deewana, Saathiya,
Dil Se, Kal Ho Na Ho, Suraj Hua Madham,
Mahi ve, Do Pal, Rang De Basanti Chola
the list goes on.
With the fame, the sweet sona munda
looks took a backstage, and emerged the
Rock Star Sonu Nigam. Long hair, beard,
embroidered jackets the playback singer
became a playfront singer with his never end-
ing concerts. He could sing, dance, perform,
host shows, (sorry, failed at acting) a super
performer for Indian music lovers. We all
still loved him, because looks may change,
but the voice never does.
Coming back to the interview, Sonu
Nigam finally arrived. Dressed suavely in a
black shirt, jacket and trousers, he looked
charming as ever. This was a day before his
Sydney concert. We tried to delve more into
his success story and the Sonu no one knows.
My success secret is, I know when to
pull myself back. I dont overexpose myself;
I give proper gaps whenever I can. I do not
overspend myself, I keep myself busy in lot
of activities. I work harder than others, by
focussing on my fitness level and studying
music. Basically, I know when and how to
draw a line, replied Sonu Nigam.
Yet, he always gives time to his family
when required. Anotehr milestone in his life
came when he was blessed with son Neevan
in 2007. Ive been to Australia before for
concerts, but the reason to come here for a
long duration is so I can bring my parents and
my son. Last month I have been working
really hard with no intervals. I slept through-
out the flight, even after landing here Im still
groggy. My son is an integral part of my life,
the fact of life is that parents and children
need you, wife doesnt really need you, dis-
closes Sonu.
Recently, Neevan made headlines with
his milk version of the famous Kolaveri song.
The song became an instant hit on social
media circuits. We ask him his views on it
and his inspirations for his son, knowing that
he started singing at the same age.
My son is an inspired child, a very pos-
itive and happy child. The year he was born
he travelled 13 countries with us. I still
remember he was so well behaved that the
flight attendants used to thank him! I havent
taught him Sa re ga ma. Hes very tech-
savvy, friendly with Ipad, Ipod, etc. We
dont want to push him, we want him to be a
free soul. He has access to everything judo,
dance, piano lessons, like every kid of his
age. He can decide later what he wants to
become, says Sonu.
Sonu Nigam has gone beyond mere play-
back singing. Why does India not have a
Beyonce or a Michael Jackson, we ask him.
In India any actor can lip sync in any-
ones voice, but in other countries its differ-
ent. We dont feel sad about the difference.
Independent singers cannot match with the
talent industry singing for films or singing
on stage are two different aspects. You cant
deceive your audience on stage; on stage you
are both play front and play back.
Incidentally, Sonu as recently performed
with Michael Jacksons brother.
Have you received any Hollywood offers
after that?
India is doing so well, its a journey in
itself. If it will happen it will; I wont knock
on their door.
Anything that his audiences do not know?
(Laughs) Now you are delving into the
dark secrets of my life! Ok, well I used to
draw very well when I was a kid. I run pret-
ty fast. I can sms very fast. I program music
very well. I only watch National Geographic
Channel and also I have the app on my phone.
Im into astronomy and love to learn about
new facts.
Im a bit crazy too! You can ask my pre-
vious friends and girlfriend about that if you
dont believe me, says the sensational singer
before he heads off for a sound testing for his
concert.
Up, close and personal with Sonu Nigam
An interview with the singer-performer before his Sydney concert.
By Savitha Narayan
L
ife story of Swami Sivananda came to
life on stage at the Marana Auditorium
in Hurstville recently. This was to cel-
ebrate the 125th birth anniversary of Swami
Sivananda. The inspiration came from
Lakshmi Rao, a member of the Divine Life
Society in Australia, and was taken up by Smt
Ambika Prasad in a production by Ananya
Samarpana Performing Arts. The play
depicted the life and teachings of
Kuppuswami Iyer, who was born in the vil-
lage of Pattamadai, Tamil Nadu in 1887 and
took up medicine as his profession, serving
the labourers in Malaya before deciding to
follow a spiritual path and become Swami
Sivananda and founding the DLS in 1936 in
Rishikesh.
Dinesh Ramanan as Kuppuswami who
renounced his life as a doctor to take up the
life of a swami, and Karo Reddy as the older
Swami Sivananda spreading his teachings
throughout India and the world, both brought
such emotion to the stage that it felt as though
Swamiji really was with us. With 67 partici-
pants aged 6 to 60, the drama showcased the
diverse talents possessed by children and
adults alike, be it dancing, acting or both. It
was amazing to see how each actor was able
to switch between scenes so quickly, donning
different costumes in an incredibly short peri-
od of time.
Mrs Prasads creativity in showcasing the
philosophy of Swami Sivananda - a combi-
nation of pathos, philosophy as well as
humour made the dramas message very
effective, holding the audience spell bound.
The inclusion of Time voiced by
Kruthika Narayan and performed by Karunya
Prasad, with six little girls surrounding her,
forming the Wheel of Time was an original
way to discuss Swamijis teachings and to
reflect on his life. The conclusion depicting
the inevitable ups and downs of the journey
through life, was portrayed figuratively with
the travellers seeking shade and safety from
the harsh environment, and finally finding
enlightenment at the feet of Swami
Sivananda.
The special effects with lighting trans-
ported the audience to Malaya to witness the
oppressed labourers among the tropical jun-
gles. The props were astounding. The life-
size steam train, in particular, stood out dur-
ing the play; hats off to Sri TS Prasad who
designed this train and his band of tireless
assistants who had it ready and working in
time for the big event. Many of the partici-
pants too had not seen all the props before-
hand and were awe-struck to see the engine,
with a smoke machine making steam billow
out of its funnel.
Indeed, without the help of so many peo-
ple behind the scenes, the play could not have
been such a success. Special mention must be
made of Asha Prakash who always had an
answer to any question asked of her, be it
stage cues; where and when to enter ones
scene, to props and costumes.
Being involved in the drama, according to
one participant, was a particularly effective
way to imbibe the values taught by Swami
Sivananda; the weekends spent at rehearsals
was constructive not only to improve ones
acting, but also to learn about Swamiji and
his teachings in a way that left a deeper
imprint in our minds than reading it in a
book. Then, the teamwork that was essential
to ensure everything went smoothly seemed
to align perfectly with Swamijis philosophy
of helping others!
After the months of work put in by each
and every person involved with the show,
seeing the final result of that effort on stage
was a wonderful feeling. No doubt the audi-
ence as well as the participants themselves,
came away having truly felt the presence of
Swami Sivananda that evening.
Swami Sivanandas life celebrated in a play
A scene from the play on the life of the founder of Divine Life Society.
Community
Abnash Chander Singal, an Indian pioneer
of Tasmania
(14 December 1933 20 June 2012)
Mr Abnash Singal was one of the very
early Indians who came to settle in
Tasmania. He arrived from India as a
student in 1952 and made Tasmania his
home.
After graduating from the University of
Tasmania he took teaching as his profes-
sion, retiring from his long-standing
teaching career as a Senior Master of
Mathematics at Claremont High School
after some 30 years of service.
Abnash was one of the pioneers and
founding members of the Indian
Cultural Society and the Indian and
Community Welfare Centre in
Tasmania. The Indian Cultural Society
was founded in early 1972. Over the
years the Society organised many
events, like public speaking and debates
on India, song, dance and drama shows,
films and documentaries, plus Adult
Education courses on India. The Society
also publicly marked big occasions,
marking some of the well known annual
events in India like Diwali.
In 1989, the Indian Cultural Society put
aside religious and regional differences
which resulted in the Indian Community
Welfare Centre being opened. Since the
inception of the Centre, Abnash had,
until recently, worked on the Council in
one capacity or another from President
to Council Member. As well as being a
member of the Board of Trustees of the
Indian Cultural and Community Welfare
Centre, he took on the role of the
Manager of the Centre. He also took a
keen interest in the maintenance of the
Centre and, in particular, the welfare of
the Indian community in Tasmania.
Abnash hailed from a respectable fami-
ly in India. He was a patriotic Indian
with a love of India, Indian culture and
the community embedded in his heart.
Abnashs personal background, his
leadership and service to the Indian
Cultural Society and the Indian commu-
nity was recognised by a well deserved
award of Life Membership of the
Society at the 25th anniversary celebra-
tion in 1997.
He will be sadly missed by his wife of
50 years, Jean, children Clinton and
Anita, grandchildren Natasha and Shane
and his extended family.
Gaura Travel popularly referred
to as the Restaurant wallah
agent has moved a few doors
away from Billus eatery after
notching up many
clients and servicing the
Australia-India route with the
best deals that
are available to the community.
Gaura Travel run by Ashwini and
Abhishek Sonthalia brothers who
started the agency almost five
years ago and having turned it
into a
successful business in Melbourne
and later in Adelaide, they ven-
tured
into Sydney though due to fierce
competition, it was a tight
market to break into. But Gaura
Travel proved otherwise serving
the thriving and ever growing
Indian community in the area.
Having opened a small modest
office from Billus Eatery and a
small one-man operation by
Gaura turned into 24/7 travel
business with growing volume.
The
company that had acquired its
local name Restaurant Wallah
Agent had to move office as the
site was classified under heritage
list and clients wanting a bigger
office coupled with quality serv-
ice.
We found a good office very
close to Billus and moved to the
new precinct, says Ashwini
about Sydney that it has numbers
too. There was also a great deal
of thinking behind the business,
with Sonthalia brothers, both
graduates in Business
Information Systems from RMIT,
who are known for infusing theo-
ry into practice and applying
technology freely in business.
They worked on visibility and
managed to market themselves
well. People became familiar
with our logo and know the name
and our quality in service, says
Ashwini, as they could see people
needed more than what they were
getting.
We were giving customers more
options, looking at different
routes attending them patiently
and slowly we built our customer
base which was more than satis-
fied with our service and deliv-
ery.
Ashwini says Gaura Travel is the
first India-oriented travel agency
to branch out interstate and the
first to be operational 24/7,
adding, We have a call centre
facility, with more people to serv-
ice and we are available anytime
and are flexible.
We use technology quite effec-
tively when people book with us,
we send them SMS confirming
their tickets, we send them dead-
line of payments,
and we send them reminder mes-
sages on the day of their flight.
Also
when we get specials we send
SMS out to our clients.
Despite the success story in
Sydney, there is no time for
complacency,
believes Ashwini. Sydney is
obviously the focus of the busi-
ness right now
to make it grow into a giant
operation. We have to keep
marketing the brand. We have to
remain visible and we have to
treat the customers as king, and
Gaura gives the customers a roy-
alty treatment.
Gaura moves to a new venue
Sonthalia brothers at the opening of new office of Gaura Travel with members of media and community
Reiki Therapist
Manju is a qualified Reiki therapist. Reiki heals Physical,
Mental, Emotional and Spiritual states. I can offer a wide
range of Reiki services to heal the body, mind and spirit. I am
dedicated to my clients and takes pride in assisting their heal-
ing by channelling this wonderful energy.
Reiki is simple natural healing system through the laying on
hands energy is channeled to the area most needed for bal-
ance. Every treatment is different and healing occurs from the
inside and out. Reiki with Manju is truly a positive and spiri-
tual experience.
To see if Reiki could possibly help you
please call,
Manju Mittal
0425 204 364
Childrens Corner
Children's Corner
By Esther
Chaudhry-Lyons
Q
ueens Birthday is celebrat-
ed as a public holiday in
several Commonwealth
countries. The Commonwealth of
Nations is a voluntary association
of 53 independent sovereign states,
most of them are former British
colonies, or dependencies of these
colonies. The exact date of the cel-
ebration varies from country to
country, and it does not usually
mark the real birthday of Queen
Elizabeth II (21 April 1926). Most
Commonwealth Realms release a
Birthday Honours List at this time.
Australia (except Western
Australia), observes the Queen's
Birthday on the second Monday in
June, marking it with a public hol-
iday that also serves as the open-
ing weekend to Australia's snow
season, though it is quite common
for there to be no ski-worthy snow
until later in the month. Because
Western Australia celebrates its
Foundation Day on the first
Monday in June, the Governor of
Western Australia proclaims the
day on which the state will
observe the Queen's Birthday,
based on school terms and the
Perth Royal Show. The day has
been celebrated since 1788, when
Governor Arthur Phillip declared a
holiday to mark the birthday of
King George III.
India is a commonwealth coun-
try as she was a part of the Brinish
empire. Britain had been trading
in India since about 1600, but it
did not begin to seize large sec-
tions of territory until 1757, after
the Battle of Plassey. This battle
pitted 3,000 soldiers of the British
East India Company against the
5,000-strong army of the young
Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud
Daulah, and his French East India
Company allies. Fighting began on
the morning of June 23, 1757.
Heavy rain spoiled the Nawab's
cannon powder (the British cov-
ered theirs), leading to his defeat.
The Nawab lost at least 500
troops, to Britain's 22. Britain
took about $5 million from the
Bengali treasury, which financed
further expansion.
It was in the year 1600 that the
British Queen of the time, Queen
Elizabeth I, gave a Royal Charter
to the East India Company of
England to travel to the Eastern
part of the world, in order to con-
duct trade with those countries.
Subsequently, the East India
Company arrived in India in the
year 1608, docking their ships at
Surat, one of the popular ports of
India at the time. After waging
several power struggles with those
foreign rulers already in India,
like for example the Portuguese,
the Dutch and the Muslim, the
British East India Company was
able to quickly establish trading
posts and factories in some of the
major cities of India. Soon
enough, by the end of the 17th
century, the British had firmly
established themselves on Indian
soil, and had started ruling the
people of the Indian Sub-
Continent. They were ruling prac-
tically the whole of India, more
than any other foreign invaders.
Indians started rebelling
towards the English, and in 1857,
the First Mutiny was launched,
followed by several others, headed
by Mahatma Gandhi and other
great leaders, until the English
could take it no longer and agreed
to 'Quit India'. This happened in
the year 1947, when India
declared herself an independent
nation. Therefore, the British
ruled over India for 347 years
The British Indian Empire
and surrounding countries in
1909.
During British rule Calcutta
was the capital of India from 1858
to 1912, then New Delhi became
the capital from 1912 to 1947. The
spoken languages were
Hindustani, English and many oth-
ers.
Government
Monarchy
Emperor/Empress of India
(18761947)
- 18581901 Victoria
- 19011910 Edward VII
- 19101936 George V
- 1936 Edward VIII
- 19361947 George VI
Currency
British Indian rupee
An 1887 souvenir portrait of
Queen Victoria as Empress of
India, a full 30 years after the
Great Uprising.
King George VI
Ten Rupee note
Since the British ruled practi-
cally the whole of India and for so
long there was a lot of influence
on the social, culture, lifestyle and
religion in the subcontinent.
The country was predominant-
ly Hindu in religion but the
Muslim invaders brought in Islam
and Urdu language, British
brought in the Christianity and the
missionaries who introduced
English education. The English
schools followed the same educa-
tional system as in England. The
students sat for Senior Cambridge
certificate and not High School.
The examination papers were set
in England and posted to India.
They were also corrected in
England. Till mid-1950s the senior
Cambridge Certificate was popular
among rich Indians who also sent
their sons to England for higher
education to Eton, Oxford,
Cambridge, Howard and Wales
Universities in the UK. Jawaharlal
Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi both
studied in England.
The British developed a fine
system of railways and the tele-
graph for their trade purposes in
India and improved roadways,
built great buildings like the
Parliament House in New Delhi.
India has more than 300 languages
and dialects in the country of
many states but English became
the official Government language
and united the various states of
India. Therefore, everyone, even
the uneducated backward classes
of India could understand and
speak some words of English.
Many Hindi words have found
their place in English dictionaries,
like Hobson and Johnson diction-
ary. For instance: Bungalow from
Bangla), Chit - from Chitthi,
Chutney - from chatni, "to crush",
Cot - from Kht, a portable bed,
Garam Masala - literally, "hot
spices", Pundit - from Pandit, or
Priest, Pyjama - the garment
with two legs, Shampoo - from
Champu, a scalp massage.
QUEENS BIRTHDAY
Surdas
During the reign of Akbar, a great saint, Surdas,
was born. He was blind and was beyond the parochial
religious beliefs. His loving description of Krishnas
life in a folk language, known as Brajbhasa, is till
today a treasure of Krishnas bhajans.
I
n the village of Sihi near Delhi, in the house of a
poor Brahman, a child was
born blind in 1478. He was
so neglected by his neighbourrs
and his own family that by the
time he was three, everyone
forgot his real name and he was
called Sur, which means blind.
He was later known as Surdas.
Surdas would often go hun-
gry because his mother would
not bother to feed him. His
brothers would receive new clothes at Diwali time but
not Surdas. Surdas' parents thought he wouldn't be
able to tell the difference anyway. It hurt his feelings.
Surdas' outside world was not very kind either.
His playmates enjoyed teasing him and when he came
to his mother for sympathy, she scolded him for going
out. So, unfortunate Surdas stayed on the porch most
of the time.
One day, a group of singers passed by his house
singing in praise of the Lord. Swept up by the joy the
music brought forth in him, he forgot for a moment
that he was blind.
"One day I will learn how to sing," he told him-
self.
When Surdas joined his brothers to learn from
their father how to read and write, his father said,
"Go away. You are blind, you cannot read." His
brothers teased him as he sat and wept.
A few days later, another group of singers came
by, singing in praise of the Lord. Surdas followed
them. At night they stopped to cook and rest near a
lake. One of them came to Surdas and asked, "Why
are you following us?"
"I would like to learn to sing" answered Surdas.
They fed him that night but didn't want to be bur-
dened with the blind boy. In the morning they left
without telling him.
Where could blind Surdas go? He sat under a tree
and began singing the Lords praise. He had a good
voice and his feelings were expressed with utmost sin-
cerity. Villagers passing by gave him food and he sur-
vived. The lake was a popular resting spot for those
travelling to Mathura and Vrindavan. From their con-
versation, Surdas learnt a lot about the outside world.
By the age of 14, Surdas developed a keen sixth
sense and could predict many things. People were
amazed and he was called "miracle boy." If a villager
lost an animal, Surdas could tell him where to find it.
He was consulted on the appropriate day to travel or
to start any project. People from other villages trav-
elled a long way to meet him and gave their offerings.
One day, the landlord's little toddler wandered off and
could not be found. Surdas predicted where the boy
was and the boy was found. The landlord was so
pleased that he fell at Surdas' feet and asked his men
to build a cottage for him near the tree under which
Surdas stayed. Shortly thereafter, people offered him a
string instrument to accompany his singing. Some peo-
ple became his disciples. They began to write the
songs he composed. The disciples loved him and
served him to the best of their ability.
One night, Surdas dreamt of Krishna and people
praising Him through bhajans.
Surdas woke up and was con-
vinced that Krishna was calling to
him. The next morning, he
departed for Vrindavan. His dis-
ciples came running and were
worried.
"Why are you leaving us?
Are we at fault?"
Surdas consoled them and continued on his way to
Vrindavan through the jungle.
One day, while he was resting at the edge of a
shallow abandoned well, he fell into the well. Blind
and injured, he did not know how to get out.
Surdas stayed in the well for seven days praying
for help. Suddenly he heard a childs voice, "Hold my
hands, I will take you out."
Surdas came out of the well and the boy disap-
peared. He kept searching for the little boy who res-
cued him. In his imagination, the boy was none else
but Gopal Krishna. People thought he was crazy.
One day one of his disciples told Surdas that the
great learned saint Swami Vallabhacharya was going
to visit Vrindavan. He was famous for his writings
about Krishna. Surdas keenly wished to see him.
Hindi Humour
``+| -||r|+ -|+ r +| r
|= =|== = n|t| =| |-| |
r|+ =|= +r| r , n-| =| - :
+| |=+ --t - -| tr
``+| +| =|, n-| =|`` r-
+ + =|
``=- |o +|, =|= = = ;=
| =--| |+ =| - +| - |=t + t =|
r| =| r - `=| : =| : = =++ =|-
=| |, =+|t=| |:-=| =|`
``=t n-| =|! ;= - +t n|+ r| +
=| +| ==t+ r =|== | = r|
|+ =+ r - = +| =|; |:|
|+=|| r , =+|t=| =| t |:-=| !
- t |-| - +| |= =-=
: |- =| -| =|+ | r ;- =+
=||= , |= - =| =- =| ++| =|
|= =|+|t=| |:-=| =| ; r =| t
-- -= - ;t = +t + t += tr
r =t n o ! = +| + - + ! |== =
+|= + +|| =| +tr -|t| -|t| =
tr| r , += = -=+ =|= +r| r ,``
``+| =|, =-| r = t | =|
+| -|+ r| ; |= =|+ - r = n|
+ tr r
``=t -+| o, =- + = + | +| +
| n| + |,`` =|-++|r
==-t =| =- t= =t -| + r ``- t
-+=t| + o-t | r |= =+|t=|
`- -=| =- -|t` - |:-=| =t tr|
| =- ;= = - || o|+|+ =|
+|= +r| = =| | +|``
=| t =|- | +++| r| -|t+|
= +|t +| r , =-| r = t, =|+ =|
+| r| | r , =- - =t| =| | t +r|
tr|, |:-=| =| -| -|| r ``
``-|t- =| - |=| , - r| ;= =|
r |+=| |``, ==-t = + r
=| t |=t =|+ -+| r ..
;= = =| - = = =r , n-| =|
+ - n | =+ | =r|
r| , r| =|+ =| +| r =- : |-|
r| + =t =| tr| r , =t =||r- r|
;|+r|= =| - =| = -+|| =| tr| r
= =| ;|+r|= =- - + c +
=r||+| r , r- -| n-| =|,
=|+ rt -|+ =| ;++| =|t-| +|
+ r =|+ +| =|-+ r |=
|=--| - = - =+ r| r| ;= =
+r , -r +| |, `- -+| -+|- ; `
=| t `n|| =| =-|+|` | |=t
`|=++| =- |`- ;+ |+| = - =|-
- +| `=+|t=| |:-=| =|`, =+
+| r = = | r| n-| =|, r +|
-|++| + : | |= ;+ |+| - - r = +
=t =| n =| =|+| r ``
``-|=| = c| - +-| - +| -|+
=t+ r , | =| - =|t =| n|t|, - n
+| =| =| =|+ =| = + +t |
n= r| + +| r | =| = +| ,
== =| -|+ =|+ =| =-=| +|
r ``
`` =-|+| - tr| r , r- |
-+| r| |``
``+| o|= -+| r| | =| t
|=t |=++| - r||+ +r r|
=| =| ot|- r| = = r , |= +| | =--
r| | =| -+| tr r |= = -| = =|
o r| +r| ==+ ,``
``+| +| ==t+ r = -| = =|
o+ =| - == == o| ,`` r-
+ = =| |
`` + |-| =| +| =t , -r| |
=- r| r|+ r - - : - r | - r |
=|+ =|+ r |= n- = =| o n =
=|+| r ``
``=| t | ;+ =|t =| =| : +|
-| =| = +- = +t `-|- ` =++| =|+
| - = r| + r =| ; =| o --
=t= =| t =| ; =++| `+|=t| =| o`
o| , - = +|- +t | | | |
=| = tr r , ++ = = =-|+ = o
tr r , = |-n-|= =| - c|-| tr
r | | = =| =|-+| =| +c++
= - =o|+ - =-| =t|+ =| =r tr
r , +r| +| `= +|` t=| tr |
-- - :| - :| || :| - -+ r ,
=++ --=| =| ; |n -|:- -= |
- =+ r |- n| =|-|+ =| t =| + =
:|t ++ = +|= =-| r =| t =t=|t
r |= r| + r| t - =| r =| t ..``
``=- =t=|t +| =t | ;= -
- = -|- - += =| r-+| +
| | =| =-=| +r| |,`` r- +
n-| =| =| -|+ =|+ | | |
``= = |= +t +| = = = tr
r ,``
``==| = = +| |= +tr = | |
=| =| o| - n| =+ -|| -|+ r ,
=- |- | r -+|; =| |==|
=| =| ; = =| ; r | |==| =|
= =| | +| -|t r| =|
=|t|- =| t = = |+ -| =-|++ +t
-|rt - || | o +| =- r ,
|== |== =| t| +| t| ``
``+t n-| =|, ;+ =- = - =|t|
=+|t=| =| +| =-- r ``
``=-- +| r - | =+|t=|
=++| =-+| =| t | =-- |t| =| :
|:-=| =|+ +| r +| =|t| `|=--`
r| - =|t r| =| | - n-| =| - c|-|
|-+| r --=| +t - t| |- + :+|
r ``
``+| == -|+ r r |= =|+
=| ;= |+ +t ;++| =|+|| +r| r
|=++| =|+|t=| = |:-=| =|+ +t
r ``
``=|= =-n =|+ |=+ ;+
|+| =| |- r| +| | =| |-|+|
+ | =t+| r ``
r- | r|t -|++ -|| - +r| r ,
;= | n-| =| = =+t |= =| t +|t
=| :|
``=|+ =| | =++ + t|+
|= |+ =| |-=|t| =| =++|| | r ,
|=+ +t -+ =|t =|=-- = : |-|-
=|t |+ t r =|+ =| |
=+|t=| =| |= -|- | `=+| =`
=-:+ r =+|t=| =- =|t| -||
=||+ =| |+|+| r =|+ +|
=|r+ r |= =+|t=| =| =|+ -||
=|t| + n+ +=| +tr |-|t| - = +-|
| =| =| t -r += +t =| ; =|+||
| + =t =| t - || o|+|+ =|
-+|; ; ;= - r | rt=+ +t |-t|
| + =t = + =|+ =r+| tr =| t
-|t =| ;++| |t| =|-+ =| =t+|
tr - = +| =|== =-|= - += =
| - t| r| tr| r -`+-| -|`-
-| -|+ = - ;= :t = |= :=|
=| n|| - -+ - :| r = +| + : |,
=| - + = | +r| r , :|=|
=| + |; n =| r| t| = tr r `` r-
-| =| tr , =| t n-| =| = + =|+
= ++ =| tr
``=| =-=| r =| + | r| = =|
r , ++ - = = = +| =-|= = ++
== | = |-ta =|-| = +=|+ |
r =+|t=| =- = - =|- =|
=t : r| +r| r -|-= += =| rt
=|- - -t|-t =| =|| r =|= =|
=| t+ += = +| ; |-|t = -|rt
|+= =|; r -r - = =| =
= = | |-| =t =+| r -r
=| |== =|+| r , -r =|+|t| =t+|
r , -r + |= =| t =| = - n =|
= t| =t+| r
-r |=t+ - | r , -| t| |+ r ,
-r |-| -|+ r , -|+|= -|t| r ,
+|= r -r +| - n=t, =|n|
| = , = |-| r , =||+| |- =|
| =|;+| + r-| r , -r..
..-r t|=+||+ - =| n +t t|=
| =t+| r -r ; | | | r , =| |+-
| | | r , -r -+ = = r -r =-
-| -| =- =|- =t tr| r +| ;=
- +| =|+|| r |= | -r =|r +|
-r =-- =| =t |:-=| =t
.. =| t +| =| t =|= =| =|-
| ;= -|+ =| =-n | r - -r
| =- =+|t=| = =| |- =t
t = =|-| - += =| r| -|+| r
- + =|+ =|- - +| +| =r
=| tr| | |= n-| =| n-| =t
-| +=
``r| , r| , r| +| - n =-=| +r|
+| |= =|| = = =| tr t||+
|t-|=| =| =| :, ;= + |=- - =|
=++|+ - =|- | -=- t r| | r
- | o+| r |= -r |==+ - -
| +| r , t - - + - =t+| r , --=|
=| +r|+| |+| r , ++ = =+ :
-+| r , r| += |= =+|t+| =|
+| =++ --=| =| + +| -+ =-
- :| -- =|+| r , ;=| -r r
=|- =|- = | =-- - |== =| +|=
n| ;++| `= =|-` +r| r - |
+| r =| t -- =r || = =|
|:-=| =| =|+| r ;= r| =|+
=| t+ =| =| =|| =r+ r ,`` n-| =|
| + t =| n - =| t =- r-|t| -|t|
= ++ =| |
``=| t =| IPL (=|; .+|.|)
|= = -|| + +=| =| t+ =|
+-|n| -+| to| r rt =| = = -|
= ++ :|=| =| :| =, ||+
|:-=| - r - +r|, n = -|+-+|
=| -, >| =-- + |=r =r tr r | =|
r| |-=|t r-|t | n| =| =| |
r +| ;=| - =-|+ =| -|+ =|+
=t tr r =r| r-|t| = -= |+ =|
|-=| + :|; =| tr| r , =|+ =| r|
- -|t= r| r -|-``
.... =| t ;= = +r |= - = =
-| , n-| =| += =t -|rt = |
+t - + t |---|= = =| =r ==+|
r |= - =+|t=| =| +tr |:-=|
+r|
=+|t=| |:-=| =| ...
=+ t|- -=|=
January - February 2012 THE INDIAN DOWN UNDER 37
Community
By K. Raman
Music is the mediator between the spir-
itual and sensuous life. (Beethoven)
After three days of musical bliss I fully
concur with the saying.
T
he musical Sadas held at The
Riverside Theatre from June 9-11
under the auspices of Swaralaya was a
resounding success. For the past six years or
so Swaralaya, under the able stewardship of
Jayendran Kanagasabhai, Jaya Jayendran,
and supported by a hard working team, has
been presenting the annual classical music
fest (named Sydney Music Festival),
excelling each year and winning kudos in its
onward march.
The show is popular with listeners as well
as the singing fraternity of South Indian music
as they vie with each other to get an invitation
from the organizers to perform in Sydney.
One of the visiting music stalwarts, Sashank,
said that they always looked forward to visit
Sydney and complimented Jayendran and his
team for their huge efforts.
This year, there was a galaxy of
renowned musical luminaries of Carnatic
music, including Padma Vibhushan Dr.
Balamurali Krishna, doyen of traditional
music. The visiting musicians comprised two
Sangeetha Kalanidhis and others who will be
celebrities as years roll by.
The three day full-house festivities began
at 9.30 am on June 9 (just outside the Rahu
kala). The classy auditorium was the appro-
priate venue for a show of this class.
Day one on the whole was spectacular.
Saraswathi Sundaresan, a versatile dance cho-
reographer and talented musical scholar,
accompanied Dr Balamurali for her presenta-
tion, Kathirkama Kuravanch, a dance drama
created by Veeramani Iyer, enacted by local
dancers trained by Hamsa Venkat. It was the
showpiece of the morning.
The post lunch concerts, commonly
known as Sadas concerts, presented by
Gayatri Venkatraghavan followed. Lalgudi
siblings Krishnan and Vijayalakshmy and
finally Dr. Balamurali Krishna enthralled the
audience for more than eight hours. There
were scintillating performances. Gayatris
song selection and renditions were brilliant.
She has a good range and sweetness in her
voice tone. Her Bruhi mukun thethi made us
remember the Nightingale MS Subbulakshmi
and she gave the same light and shade effect
as MSS had provided us many decades ago.
For a brief moment I remembered how I wore
out the old gramophone wax record of MSS
by playing it time and again. The Lalgudi
duo, known for perfect harmony and musical
scholarship, kept their family flag flying.
Patris percussion support was unbelievable.
The maestros concert was scintillating to
say the least. He looked a bit weak and
walked hesitantly but once seated in front of
the mike it was the same vintage BMK - noth-
ing is lost or faded in his singing potential.
He had the services of the best Thampura
artist in O.S. Arun. In Ragam Sidhi, his own
composition which has four swarams only,
was his first item of presentation, followed by
a krithi in Ragam Lavangi (Omkara), anoth-
er of his own composition, Kamavardhi, fol-
lowed by Ashtapathi (Radhika Krishna),
Paluke Bangara mayana, in Ahir Bhairav,
Pibare Rama Rasam and Thillana
(Kadanakuthuhalam, his creation). It was a
nice package, indeed.
Day two was again brilliant. Local musi-
cians presented Padams and Javalis and with
the participation of visiting artists, sang
Pancharatna Kritis of the Bard of
Tiruvayyaru. The evening session figured Dr.
Panthula Rama, Sashank (flute) and T.M.
Krishna. The three of them transported us to
a level of musical bliss not often reached in
stage concerts. Many experts were raving
about Panthulu Ramas concert. Her rendition
was brilliant with good support from her hus-
band MSN Moorthy on Violin. Both are
multi-talented, both can sing and play Violin
well and support each other in concerts they
participate.
Sashank stole the show and received a
prolonged standing ovation. His repertoire
was impressive with Varnam in Thodi (Evari
mada), Theriyallathu Rama, RTP in Kalyani
(Guru Guhane Murugane) and Raghuvamsha
sutha. He got good support on violin (Vinu)
and Mridangam (Satish Kumar).
The last show on day two was TM
Krishnas . He is the grandnephew of TT
Krishnamachari, Indias first Finance
Minister and founder of Madras Music
Academy. Krishna began with Evarimada,
Sri Naadathi Guru Guha (Dikhithars first
creation). His elaboration of Mayamalava
Gowla was a sheer ecstasy to hear. Then
came Nava sidhi petralum, the RTP
Pathathum manam mayanginen. With
Madhurai Manis masterpiece Eppo varu-
varo, he concluded his well-presented con-
cert. Krisna, on stage, looks moody and he
enjoys his music and it is true his involvement
in music is akin to a tapas. He is well and
truly a brilliant artist. He expresses his innate
feelings with pronounced gestures.
On day three the Sadas concerts started
with OS Arun. He is a big man, with a big
voice and lot of outward expressions (hands,
body and facial). He began with Amma
Aanada dayini and sang Varuvaro varam
tharuvaro, Edathu padam thookki,
Murugayya arul cheyyavendum ayya, and
the stirred up piece Panduranga. He
received a standing ovation. The fine Tani
with Murugabhoopathi and Kishan Jayan was
a brilliant laya exposition. Our own Kishan
made us proud with his beautiful Tabla expo-
sition. He is multi-talented and an adept in
various musical instruments.
Enter Sudha, impeccably dressed, and
presenting a fine concert. A thing of beauty
(in looks and music skills) is a joy for ever.
Her repertoire included Vanajaksha/
Vasudeva charya, Tripura sundari, Raja
gopala, Eppadi padinaro etc. She had excel-
lent rapport with side musicians.
The last concert by T.V.
Sankaranarayanan revealed the greatness of
the great Sangeetha Kalanidhi. He is the
nephew of the Late Madhurai Mani Iyer, and
a brilliant torch bearer of the great
Pushpavanam. His son Mahadevan is the chip
of the old block. TVS has the same vibrant
style of his redoubtable uncle. The 67-year-
old used the colourful delineation of swara
prastharas with his ability to hike his voice to
the upper notes with minimum effort. His
music was joyous and melodious to listen.
TVS rendered Sri Raghu kula
(Hamsadhwani), Sogasu Jooda, Inda para-
mugam (Poorvi Kalyani), Mee Valla (Kapi),
Sri Ranganatha Ayya (Dhanyasi), Mohana
Rama (Mohanam) RTP in Shanmukha priya,
Karpooram narumo (Ragamalika), Srinivasa
Thiruvenkata (Hamsanandi), Yeppo
Varuvaro (Jonpuri), English Note, Virutham
(Madhyamavathi) and the Mangalam.
The accompanying artists were: R.K.
Sriram Kumar, MSN Moorthy,
Avaneeswaram Vinu (on violin) and
Mannargudi Easwaran, Tanjore
Murugabhoopathi and Patri Satish Kumar
(Mridangam and Kishan Jayendran on Tabla.
It was refreshing to hear a compere,
Vandana, with good pronunciation and lan-
guage flair, a rare feature seen in stage man-
agement these days. What I learned in the
process of being in the auditorium on three
full days is: Music expresses that which can-
not be said in words.
Swaralaya presents 3-day musical feast
The annual Sydney Music Festival is popular with listeners as well as the singing fraternity
of Carnatic music. This year the galaxy of renowned performers included
Dr Balamurali Krishna and two Sangeetha Kalanidhis.
Presentation by Parramatta Federal MP Julie Owens to Dr. Balamurali Krishna,
Sriramkumar, O S Arun and Dr. Saraswati.
Pancharathna Aradhana by all overseas, interstate and local artistes
Community
2
0 year old Astha Rajvanshi became the
president of USU, Student Union of
Sydney University where she is studying
media/communication combined degree.
Astha had said as she stood for the presti-
gious and sought-after position, The USU is
the driving force behind the vibrant student
life at Sydney University. With negotiations
between the union and the university under-
way, we are in a crucial time where our stu-
dent autonomy is facing serious threat. It is
very important that we together maintain a
strong and independent, student-run union for
the genuine understanding and protection of
student needs and rights.
Asthas vision for the USU is a union with
a new perspective, an inclusive attitude, and
great determination to represent the interests
of the diverse and broad range of students on
campus.
Says she, I believe that communication,
whether it is between students, the university
or the greater community, is fundamental to
build more awareness about student issues.
With that in mind, my policies strive for
strong student involvement to keep an
informed and cohesive student body.
Following are some aspects that Astha
and her team who voted her in concentrated
as she said in her initial speech when she was
chosen a member last year. Astha had bid
adieu to her old union when she used her
catchy slogan Astha La Vista and a hip hop
winning song that she wrote and sang herself
Astha with her dedicated team of six
promises to work towards:
1. A trial access plan that will allow all
students to explore the access card and its
benefits on and off campus through a cheaper
alternative and broader distribution.
2. Voluntary study sessions reach out
to a side of student life often overlooked by
helping students to keep up with their study
workload and academic pressures. It recog-
nizes high achievers through their contribu-
tions and commitment. Finally, It allows for
greater co-operation with faculties within our
university, which will greatly benefit student
relations.
3. With an official charity officer in
place, we can promote the unions social
responsibility and provide students a chance
to support a worthy cause through fundraising
events and awareness campaigns.
4. For long-term growth of the USU
we need transparency, efficiency and passion
towards a bigger and better student union.
Good luck Astha!
Astha Rajvanshi becomes
President of USU
By Rekha Rajvanshi
M
onth of May kept Hindi poetry lovers busy as
Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan Australia organised an
evening with famous humour and satire poet
Ashok Chakradhar in Town Hall Parramatta. Ashok
Chakradhar was a professor in Hindi Department of
Jamia Millia Islamia University, Delhi before he joined
as Vice-Chairman, Central Hindi Institute, India.
Evening started with workshop on Hindi grammar
teaching- current state and direction by Bageshree
Chakradhar, a Hindi teacher and poetess. She spoke
about simplifying grammar teaching through poetry and
Bollywood songs. She insisted on using simple to com-
plex and known to unknown rules in language teaching.
This workshop was attended by Hindi teachers Archana
Chowdhary, Kulwinder Kaur, Mala Mehta, Richa
Srivastava, Gunjan Tripathi, Neena Badhwar and Rekha
Rajvanshi. Teachers expressed their views and concerns
such as unavailability of good Hindi resources in
Australia, need of Hindi stickers Shabash, Bahut
Achchha as reward to the little ones, age-appropriate
Hindi games and worksheets and Hindi video lessons for
adults,. Prof. Ashok Chakradhar gave everyone a chance
to speak and requested them to send their requests
through e-mail.
Prof Ashok Chakradhar also delivered a Hindi work-
shop for teachers in NSW Parliament House on 2nd May
2012, where he spoke mainly about latest technological
advances in Hindi; he suggested various websites and
online dictionaries, he said make technology your tool
and be innovative. Prof Chakradhar was open to the use
of even Bollywood songs and gave an example of all the
three tenses in one line from a Bollywood song Sau saal
pahele mujhe tum se pyaar tha, aaj bhi hai aur kal bhi
rahega. This sentence contains tha, hai aur rahega the
three forms present, past and future of tense. He also dis-
cussed the role of Central Hindi Institute in India and
advised to open Central Hindi Institutes branch in
Sydney too. Ashok Chakradhar also visited Sydney
University Hindi adult class, where students welcomed
him and Ashok ji recited one of his poems with its
English translation, which non Hindi speaking students
enjoyed.
After Hindi Grammar Teaching workshop by
Bageshree Ji, Bhavans new Hindi on line magazine
Navneet Australia Hindi Digest was launched by Hon Dr
Geoff Lee, MP Parramatta. Other dignitaries present on
the occasion were Hon. Amanda Fazio, MLC, Consul
Vivek Kumar from Indian Consulate Sydney and Mr
Shankar Dhar,
There was a tea break after the Hindi workshop,
poetry lovers took this opportunity to talk to Ashok ji and
Bageshree ji informally and they took pictures with them.
Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan recognised Ashok Ji and
Bageshree Jis contribution towards Hindi by giving them
certificates. Kavi Sammelan began after 7.30 pm, Abbas
Raza Alvi, Hindi director Bhartiya Vidyta Bhavan intro-
duced Ashok Chakradhar the poet. Local poets were
invited to recite first as Richa Srivastava, Pradeep
Upadhyay, Dhanraj Chowdhary, Shaija Chaturvedi and
Rekha Rajvanshi recited their poems.
Ashok Chakradhar ji then started his poetry session
and audience couldnt wait to laugh at his brilliant sense
of humour. He is famous for expressing emotions
through humour. He plays with words beautifully and
creates humour which eventually takes a turn and touch-
es hard the realities of life. One of his poems on was
based on a poor boy selling tissues in hot weather and
how poor dont have access to basic amenities there
whereas rich people sitting in air conditioned offices need
to use tissues to wipe up their sweat. I would like to quote
another poem where he visits a Pagalkhana in Delhi and
how so called mad people tell him their sad real stories.
On one hand Ashok jis poems made people laugh but
on the other hand they left audience wondering how to
make the world a happier and better place to live. ILASA
coordinator Manju Jehu organised Ashok jis poetry
evening in Brisbane, Prem Mathur in Perth and Nalin
Sharda in Melbourne organised poetry sessions with him
to recite poems. No doubt, his poetry evenings were
enjoyed by poetry lovers all over Australia.
By Manju Mittal
H
arbhajan Mann is an
Indian actor and Punjabi
singer. He started his
career in singing and soon
became an important figure in
Film Industry. He acted in lot of
movies and his movie Jee aayan
Nu was declared a super hit
movie overseas.
Punjabi actor and comedian
Gurpreet Ghuggi is a spark of
Punjabi film industry and
humour. He has acted in quite a
few films, he joined The Great
Indian Laughter challenge and
became popular all over India and
Punjabi households.
Harbhajan Mann and
Gurpreet Ghuggi concert on June
30 in Sydney Hills centre Castle
Hill was a family affair. It was
my first Live Punjabi concert and
was just incredible. I feel in
Punjabi anything goes as the lan-
guage is fully understood.
Audience waited patiently for the
Punjabi singer to take the stage,
the show started with the song
Mawa maa jannat da which
Harbhajan dedicated to mothers.
He sang his famous numbers and
requests from floor were aplenty.
I liked the way he interacted with
the audience.
There was so much energy
and he is an amazing performer.
Gurpreet Ghuggi just made non-
stop jokes as the crowd and the
entire venue surged with excite-
ment. I have been to many con-
certs in my life this is the concert
to remember for a life time.
Organisers of the show Amrinder
Pannu and Sukhbir Singh Sidhu
gave Sydney a fantastic show.
Whoever was there that night was
lucky to be a witness to an enter-
taining and hilarious event.
Ashok and Bageshri Chakradhar
tour Australia
Harbhajan Mann enter-
tained as Gurpreet Ghuggi
made Sydney laugh
Astha Rajvanshi
Ashok and Bageshri Chakradhar with Sydney com-
munity in a workshop and poetry evening organised
by Gambhir Watts of Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan
The living Goddess tradition continues in Nepal
I
write this column with fulfill-
ment because I have just
returned from Nepal after
meeting the Living Goddess,
Kumari.
It was a rare opportunity
because the Kumaris are revered
and worshipped by some of the
countrys Hindus as well as the
Nepali Buddhists and they do not
give private audiences to visitors.
Kumari Sanskrit for a young
unmarried girl or virgin is the
tradition of worshipping pre-
pubescent girls as manifestations
of the divine female energy in
Hindu religious traditions.
The three officially recognised
Kumaris in Nepal live in palaces
in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and
Patan and they appear twice daily
for a few seconds to offer dis-
tance blessing to visitors through
their sight. Devotees believe that
the power of the Kumari is so
strong that even a glimpse of her
can bring good fortune.
I joined the crowd waiting
below the Kumaris window in
the courtyard of her palace in
Kathmandu. She appeared for 10
seconds and glanced down. The
atmosphere in the courtyard was
charged with devotion and awe.
That first glimpse made me yearn
to have an audience with her and
special arrangements were made
for me to meet the Kumari of
Patan.
In Nepal, the Kumari is wor-
shipped as the Goddess Taleju
(Nepalese for Durga, who takes
care of the Kathmandu Valley)
and people believe the deity
resides in the body of a virgin.
However, it is believed that when
the girl starts to menstruate, the
goddess will leave her body.
Even the king of Nepal used
to seek blessings from the
Kumari; he would bow in front of
her and touch her feet, hoping to
receive respite from troubles and
illnesses. Now that Nepal is a
republic, its president seeks the
Kumaris blessings.
I was taken to Kumari Ghar, a
palace where the nine-year-old
Kumari Samita Bajracharya lives,
and was led into a small chamber
where she was seated on a throne.
The room was lit by two oil
lamps and there was complete
silence and peaceful energy all
around. Dressed in red, she sat
on a dais with her hands placed
on her lap. Her eyes were painted
as a symbol of her special powers
of perception. I bowed before her
with hands clasped in prayer.
The Kumari did not speak but
she looked into my eyes briefly
and gave me her blessing by plac-
ing some tikka (red dot of vermil-
ion paste which signifies the
desire to open the third eye) on
my forehead.
The aches and pains I had felt
during my journey in Nepal sud-
denly disappeared and I felt a
warm sensation in my body. I
placed some Nepali rupees on her
lap as a gesture of appreciation
for seeing me and she gave a
quaint smile. Taking photos of the
Kumari is strictly prohibited but I
was allowed to, by virtue of being
a writer.
The Hindus believe that wor-
shipping the goddess in a young
girl represents the worship of
divine consciousness spread all
over creation.
Kumaris are selected from the
Shakya family of Nepal when
they are below five years old.
The selection process is especially
rigorous: she must be in excellent
health, never have shed blood or
been afflicted by any disease, be
unblemished and have not lost any
teeth yet.
Girls who pass the basic
requirements are then examined
for the 32 perfections of a god-
dess. Among these are that her
hair and eyes should be very
black, she should have dainty
hands and feet, and a set of 20
teeth.
The girl is also observed for
signs of serenity and fearlessness
and her horoscope is examined to
ensure that it complements the
rulers.
The final test is that the girl
must be able to pick out the per-
sonal belongings of the previous
Kumari from an assortment of
things laid out before her. If she
can do so, there is no doubt that
she is the chosen one. She then
goes through purification and ritu-
al ceremonies so that she
can be an unblemished repre-
sentation of Taleju.
Upon completion of the
Tantric rites, the girl is dressed
and made up as a Kumari. She
then leaves the Taleju temple and
walks across the square on a
white cloth to the Kumari Ghar
that will be her home for the
duration of her divinity.
The ceremony also ensures
that this is the last time her feet
will touch the ground, until the
goddess departs from her body.
Whenever the Kumari ventures
outside the palace, she will be
carried or transported in her gold-
en palanquin because her feet,
like every part of her, are consid-
ered sacred and cannot touch the
ground.
Kumari tradition in Nepal
dates back to 17th century and
most of the legends are linked to
King Jayaprakash Malla, the last
Nepalese king of the Malla
Dynasty (12th to17th century
CE). A popular legend has it that
a red serpent approached the
kings chamber late one night as
he was playing a game of dice
with Taleju. The goddess had
come every night on the condition
that he refrained from telling any-
one about their meetings.
But one night, the kings wife
followed him into his chamber to
find out who he was meeting. She
saw Taleju.
Angered, the goddess then
told the king that if he wanted to
see her again or have her protect
his country, he would have to
search for her among the Shakya
community as she would be incar-
nated as a little girl among them.
Hoping to make amends with
his patroness, the king left the
palace in search of the young girl
possessed by Talejus spirit.
I left Kathmandu satisfied, but
with a strong wish to see the
Kumari again.
T. Selva is the author of the
bestseller book titled Vasthu
Sastra Guide. To get a copy of
the book, contact Devi at
0412623017.He can be contacted
at tselvas@pd.jaring.my Website:
www.vasthusastra.com
VasthuSastra
By T. Selva
Body-Mind-Spirit
The Living Goddess Kumari of Nepal.
Columnist gets recognition from International Astro Federation
T
he Indian Down Under
columnist on Vasthu
Sastra Dr T. Selva was
awarded the prestigious
Vishwakarma Award by the
International Astro Federation in
Nepal recently for his outstand-
ing contribution on peaceful liv-
ing following Vasthu Sastra .
He received the award from
Nepal Vice-President
Parmananda Jha at the
International Astro and Oriental
Heritage Conference 2012.
He was the sole recipient of
the award which is given to
scholars and philosophers for
their exceptional work in pro-
moting ancient knowledge and
allied sciences.
The Vishwakarma award was
inspired by the spirit of con-
struction and creation patronised
by Lord Vishwakarma, the rul-
ing deity of the construction
practices in Nepal and India, as
per Hindu mythology.
Nepal Astro Council chair-
man Dr Lokraj Poudel said they
were impressed with Selvas
writings, work and sharing of
his knowledge on Vasthu Sastra
to people worldwide for free.
He said this was the first
time the award was given to an
expert outside Nepal because the
council recognised Selvas self-
less contribution toward the
growth of Vasthu Sastra.
Over the past 12 years, he
has presented 427 talks at con-
ferences, seminars and events in
13 countries, and all for free and
for charity.
At the three-day event in
Kathmandu, Selva showed dele-
gates how Vasthu Sastra could
be observed without tearing
down walls and renovations.
He provided tips on harmo-
nious living, strengthening rela-
tionship, health, peace and pros-
perity.
Over 200 delegates from
India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar,
Bhutan, Bangladesh, the United
Kingdom, the United States,
Singapore, Thailand and
Malaysia participated in the con-
ference.
Nepal Vice-President Parmananda Jha presenting Vasthu Sastra
author T. Selva with the prestigious Vishwakarma Award in Nepal
Dr. Anil Kontham
Dental Surgeon
Now at two locations!
Services include:
General Dentistry Teeth Whitening
Cosmetic dentistry Dentures/Partial/Full
Crown and Bridge Root Canal Treatment
Total Sterlisation Wisdom Teeth Removals
Gum Infection
Free Dental Treatment under Medicare*
(*For patients with chronic medical condition.
some limits apply)
ON SITE PROCESSING OF HEALTH FUNDS
EFTPOS AVAILABLE
Suite 1B, 1st Floor
40 Panmure St
Rouse Hill NSW 2155
(02 ) 8814 5255
Suite 1, Level 1
38-40 Geroge St
Parramatta NSW 2150
(02) 9635 9525
0449 111 111
Free Quotes!
Call Pappu!!
Jaswinder Singh Bhogal !!!
0449 111 111
June-July 2012 THE INDIAN DOWN UNDER 43
Decor - A - Shaan specializes in uniquely
designed
Mandaps with
Backdrop
Drapes
Sashes
Tablecloths
Centrepieces
Mehndi
Chair Covers
Wedding
Outfits
Jewelery
Catering
Traditional
Bonbonnieres
Nita Tanna 02 9873 4390 www.decor-a-shaan.com.au
0411 280 533 info@decor-a-shaan.com.au
0433 178 112 decorashaan@yahoo.com
West Pennant Hills
A current stock of exclusive garments ladies, gents and
kids available
Columns
Healthy snacks are consumed without the
feeling of guilt. They may require a small
preparation time but will go a long way to
make our kids and ourselves away from un-
necessary fat and calories. Enjoy and stay
trim.
Dal Khandvi
Ingredients
cup moong dal flour
cup natural yoghurt
tsp ginger paste
tsp green chili paste
A pinch of Asafetida
A pinch of turmeric powder
Salt to taste
Oil for greasing a tray
For Tadka
2 tsp oil
1 tsp black mustard seeds
1 tsp sesame seeds
tsp asafetida
For garnishing
cup green coriander leaves finely
chopped
Mix all the ingredients in a mixing bowl.
Add cup water and keep mixing. Place a
non-stick pan on the stove. Add all the mix-
ture and cook for 3 to 5 minutes. The mix-
ture would start to lift at the edges.
Divide the mixture into 4 equal parts.
Make a ball of each part and then roll into a
thin disk. Cut into 2 inch squares. Brush
lightly with oil. Roll each strip and secure
the end with a light press by the hand.
Heat oil in a pan and add the mustard
seeds and sesame seeds. Cook till they pop.
Add asafoetida and cook for another min-
utes. Spread this tadka evenly over the
khandvi.
Garnish with coriander leaves and serve
with your favourite chutney.
Corn Cup Upma
Ingredients
2 cup corn kernel
1 cup milk
tsp black mustard seeds
tsp cumin seeds
2 green chili finely chopped
A pinch of Asafoetida
1 tsp sugar
Juice of lime
Salt to taste
2 tsp oil
For garnishing
chopped
Lightly blend the corn kernels and keep
aside.
seeds and cumin seeds. Cook till they pop.
Add asafoetida and green chili. Cook for an-
other couple of minutes. Add the blended
corn and cook on a slow fire. Then add the
milk, sugar, salt and 2 cups of water. Mix
well and cover. Let the mixture cook on a
slow heat for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove cov-
er and add the lime juice.
Garnish with coriander leaves and serve
with your favourite pickle.
Waffles
Ingredients
1 cup green peas
cup semolina
cup urd dal flour
50 gms natural yoghurt
1 cup milk
1tsp coriander powder
tsp cumin seed powder
cup green coriander leaves fine-
ly chopped
tsp Asafetida
Eno Fruit salt
Salt to taste
1 tsp oil
Lightly blend the green peas to a coarse
paste. Place the green pea paste in a mixing
bowl. Add the semolina, urd dal powder,
natural yoghurt, green chili, cumin seed
powder, coriander powder, salt and oil. Add
cup water and the fruit salt. Mix to make
a batter. Pre heat a heavy base pan. Pour half
the batter and cook on both sides till it be-
comes golden brown.
Repeat with the other half batter.
Serve with any green salad.
Cheese Tikki
Ingredients
2 cup low fat ricotta cheese
1 tsp coriander powder
2 tabs corn flour
8 cashew nut finely chopped
10 gms sultana
Salt to taste
1 tabs oil
Place the ricotta cheese in a mixing bowl.
Break it up with hands. Add the green chili,
coriander powder, corn flour, salt and oil.
Mix to make stiff dough.
Divide the mixture into 8 parts. Make a
ball of each part. Flatten it and place the
cashew and sultana mixture in the middle.
Wrap up to enclose the dry fruit. Flatten like
a tikki.
Pre heat a heavy base pan. Shallow fry
the tikki on both sides till golden brown.
Serve with any tomato sauce.
Sprouted Dosa
Ingredients for the batter
cup rice flour
cup urd dal flour
1 cup cooked rice
tsp fenugreek seeds
Salt to taste
Ingredients for the filling
cup moong bean sprouts
1 cup black chana sprout
1 slice of beet root finely chopped
1 carrot- finely grated
1 onion finely chopped
1 tomato finely chopped
chopped
1 tsp black mustard seeds
10 to 12 fresh curry patta leaves
A pinch of Asafetida
A pinch of Turmeric powder
1 tsp oil
Salt to taste
Other Ingredients
Oil for cooking
Place the rice flour, urd dal flour, cooked
rice and saunf in a mixing bowl. Add salt to
taste and add water to make a smooth batter.
Cover and keep on one side over night.
seeds. Cook till they pop. Add asafoetida
powder and turmeric powder. Cook for an-
other couple of minutes.
Add all the other items for the filling. Let
the filling cook on a slow heat for 5 to 6 min-
utes. Remove from heat and divide the fill-
ing in 6 parts.
Place a non-stick pan on the stove. When
it is hot, splash tsp oil and smear all sur-
faces. Wipe with a clean paper towel. Place
one ladle of the batter and spread evenly to
make a circle.
Place one portion of the filling over half
the dosa. When bottom is golden brown, fold
over the dosa to make a semi circle. Repeat
with remaining batter and filling.
Serve with sweet mango or tomato chut-
ney.
By Neena Badhwar
S
tudies suggest attractive people
make more money, get more at-
tention in general, receive
lighter court sentences, and perceived
as more friendlier. The society does
judge a book by its cover. Billions of
dollars spent on beauty products sug-
gest that beauty is only skin-deep.
From time immemorial we have spent
enormous amount of time concocting
potions, pastes, herbs, ointments,
creams as quest to find ways for im-
mortality not just wishing to live a
long life but with a wish to stay young
and beautiful forever.
Cleopatra wore kohl, an eyeliner
made from ground-up minerals. Mul-
tani Mitti, rose petals, saffron,
turmeric all are part of folkloric beau-
ty customs in our daily lives. Vermil-
lon rouge used by the aristocrats in the
18th century was made from sulphur
and mercury compounds leading to in-
flamed gums. To be complemented
we Indian women would, in the mid-
dle of winters, walk around in sleeve-
less and at times backless blouses. We
are willing to put ourselves into tor-
ture of all kinds with high heels and
put up with hot waxing to clean un-
wanted hair.
In 2010 Americans spent a whop-
ping $33.3 billion on cosmetics and
other beauty products. Girls aged
eight to 12 spend more than $40 mil-
lion while those aged 13 to 17 spend
more than $100 million a month. A
amount that a female will spend on
beauty products over a lifetime
amounts to a staggering GBP180,000
according to new research. Results of
the latest survey released from Co-op-
erative Insurance (CIS) reveal that the
average thirty-year-old woman spends
a massive GBP253.00 every month on
creating the 'body beautiful'. Their
list essential to achieving the desired
image included all manner of skin,
hair and nail products, dietary
regimes, fragrance, make-up, cosmet-
ics and gym membership.
I remember once, having sunburnt
my skin while visiting a high altitude
trek in the Himalayas, the dermatolo-
gist wanted to check all the repair
creams I was using. When she saw
Este Lauders repair cream worth
$165 and Olay Cream worth $32 she
dumped them straight into the bin say-
ing that plain Cetaphil worth only $7
at a chemist shop would be the best
and most gentle in helping the skin to
repair. She did not even bother to
check the brands all she did was turn
the bottles around and look at the in-
gredients in those creams which were
rather irritating and hampering the
natural repair processes of the skin.
According to a British survey con-
ducted by Tresemme, the average
woman spends a staggering $50,000
on her hair over her lifetime.
Each year, we spend an average of
$160 on shampoos and conditioners,
$120 for styling products and $520 for
haircuts. And for those of us who col-
or our locks, add in another $330 a
year.
But money is not the only signifi-
cant investment we make in our quest
for beauty. The amount of time we
spend is also astounding when you add
it up. Women spend an average of one
hour and 53 minutes a week washing,
blow drying and styling our hair. That
may not sound like a lot, but by the
time we reach the age of 65, we will
have spent more than seven months of
our lives on our hair!
If only same time and effort could
be spent on harnessing the inner being
or the inner beauty rather than chasing
the whimsical outer beauty which can
one day wane due to aging, our
biggest and inevitable enemy in the
desire to look beautiful.
Harness your inner beauty
Healthy Snacks
By Promila Gupta
As per a survey by Co-operative Insurance (CIS) the average 30-year-old
woman spends 253.00 pound sterling every month on creating the 'body
beautiful' including on all manner of skin, hair and nail products, dietary
regimes, fragrance, make-up, cosmetics and gym membership.
Santram's Grey Page
W
inter has started and going to be
severe, according to some experts.
This means we will need more gas
and electricity to warm up our houses. And
with already high prices of these two essential
products, our house-budget will be under a lot
of strain. The Federal Governments carbon
tax starting in July will add more to this bur-
den, as the prices of all other commodities are
bound to rise. However the Gillard
Government is trying to soften up the impact
of this tax on low income families and pen-
sioners. Even before the implementation of
the tax, a cash supplement of $250 per adult
and $380 per couple is already being deposit-
ed into the eligible persons accounts. This
may not be sufficient enough to meet the price
rise impact but will be handy for many fami-
lies already struggling to keep their heads
above water. For more details, please go to
the Government website:
http://www.humanservices.gov.au.
Brain rewinds, makes itself fresh
when you sleep
Ever wondered why a good sleep makes
you feel refreshed? Its because during that
time your brain resets itself to make it ready
to learn and process more information when
you wake up, scientists say.
And when you wont get enough sleep, the
brain cannot make itself ready for more and
new information, making you an irritable and
inefficient person, claimed the researchers
from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Psychologist Giulio Tononi, who led the
study, said brain wave activity is particularly
strong during sleep -- a sign that the brain is
wiping out unnecessary impressions.
The brain literally unwinds during sleep
-- wiping itself clean in much the same way as
a computer reboots, Tononi said.
Tononis pioneering research into sleep --
using human volunteers, rats, and computer
simulations -- is considered to offer some of
the first insights into the purpose of
sleep..His understanding of the brain and how
it rewires itself may also lead to a deeper
understanding of what consciousness itself is.
His hypothesis is that sleep allows the
brain to regroup after a hard day of learning
by giving the synapses, which increase in
strength during the day, a chance to damp
down to baseline levels This is important
because the brain uses up to 80 per cent of its
energy to sustain synaptic activity.
Sleep may also be important for consoli-
dating new memories, and to allow the brain
to forget the random, unimportant impres-
sions of the day, so there is room for more
learning the next day.
This could be why the brain waves are so
active during certain periods of sleep, Tononi
said.
While there may still be no consensus on
why animals need to sleep, it would seem that
searching for a core function of sleep, partic-
ularly at the cellular level, is still a worthwhile
exercise, he concluded.
Nutrition - in a nutshell
Coconut Water is described as Nature's
energiser, thirst-quencher and even life
enhancer! If thats not enough tender coconut
water has many health benefits
Dieters say it has little sugar, little cho-
lesterol and no fat.
What makes the drink a star is its K fac-
tor. You eat fruits and veggies to get your
potassium, while a glass of coconut water has
569 mg of this mineral which is almost
twice the amount in a banana.
Coconut water contains several antioxi-
dants and essential minerals. When you drink
it fresh from the tender coconut, you avoid the
added sugar in sports drinks or soda. It beats
those fake-coloured, fake-sugar drinks any
day.
It had been used as saline-glucose during
Second World War. A man can survive by
taking a coconut per day without taking any
other meals.
Cloves healing properties...
This tiny little spice has many curative
properties. Traditionally cloves are used as a
table spice and mixed with chillies, cinnamon,
turmeric and other spices in the preparation of
curry powder.
They are also used to flavour paan-the
beetle leaf. Clove oil is used in the manufac-
ture of perfumes, soaps, bath salts and as a
flavouring agent in medicine and dentistry.
Cloves help stimulate sluggish circulation and
thereby promote digestion and metabolism. In
Chinese medicine, it is used for vomiting,
indigestion and other related problems. If you
are feeling stressed, then boil some water with
basil leaves, mint leaves and clove. Then you
can use this water for black tea. Add little bit
of honey to it. This will help you ease tension.
Toothache
The use of a clove in toothache decreases
pain. It also helps to decrease infection due to
its antiseptic properties. Clove oil, applied to
a cavity in a decayed tooth, also relieves
toothache.
Digestive disorders
Cloves promote enzymatic flow and boost
digestive functioning. They are used in vari-
ous forms of gastric irritability and dyspepsia.
Licking the powder of fried cloves mixed with
honey is effective in controlling vomiting. The
anaesthetic action of clove helps in dealing
with stomach pain and stops vomiting.
Coughs
Chewing a clove with a crystal of common
salt eases expectoration, relieves the irritation
in the throat. Chewing a burnt clove is also an
effective medicine for coughs.
Exercise on the move
Give your body its daily workout even
while you holiday, incorporate a few minutes
of fitness into your daily routine to ensure
your body is ready for the day's events.
Essential seven
Begin with some light stretches and warm
up exercises like bending and touching your
toes, marching on the spot or side steps.
A good exercise programme must include
exercises to cater to the seven basic Primal
Pattern movements of the body.
Walk: Ensure that you walk every day!
A jog or a sprint will keep your heart healthy.
Push: Perform regular push-ups or mod-
ified ones with the knees on the floor. Wall
push-ups are another option.
Pull: These normally require some
basic equipment. To make up for it, you could
hang from a monkey bar in the children's play
area or a low branch of the tree.
Bend: Try dead lifts with filled water bot-
tles or your suitcase for a heavier weight.
Twist: A standing or lying twist or more
dynamic jumping twists will energise you.
Lunge: Perform with the support of the
bed if you are a beginner.
Squat: Either do free squats or try sitting
on a low chair if you have never done this
before.
Cold and flu protection
The dreaded cold and flu season is back
and arming your immune system is more
important than ever. Exercise, diet and under-
standing the latest flu vaccines will help you
stay on top, but dont forget that natural reme-
dies are nothing to sneeze at either.
Vaccination is the most effective defence
against the flu, but it only covers three main
strains and offers no protection against a head
cold that can leave you feeling just as ill as a
mild flu. And vaccination is just part of a
package that includes good hygiene, exercise
and diet.
Even if you had a flu jab last year, get it
again because it only lasts 12 months and the
extra antibodies will provide protection even
if the viruses have mutated a little.
If you do get sick
1. Quarantine yourself : Keep yourself
home from work to avoid passing the illness
on to others. Cough into your sleeves and
wash your hands regularly for your familys
sake!
2. Drink up: Cold and flu can strip the
body of vital fluids, so drink lots of caffeine-
free drinks to avoid dehydration. Warm drinks
will also help loosen mucous.
3. Rest: Give your body the time it needs
to repair itself. A serious flu will have you
bedridden for a few days anyway.
4. Inhale: Breathe in steam from hot
water a shower, bath, basin or bowl to
help ease a blocked nose. Add a few drops of
eucalyptus or menthol.
5. Take herbs: Andrographis (Churaita), a
very bitter Ayurvedic herb combined with
Echinacea, can help reduce the severity and
duration of cold and flu symptoms.
6. Numb the pain: Over-the-counter
painkillers will relieve the aches but if your
symptoms dont improve after a few days or
new ones appear, see your GP.
Seven ways to lower your blood pressure
1. Be active
Physical activity is one of the most impor-
tant lifestyle changes those with high blood
pressure can make. It helps to keep your blood
vessels functioning at their best, and can also
reduce body fat levels. Even moderate intensi-
ty activity like walking, cycling or gardening
can be beneficial.
2. Drink alcohol in moderation
Studies have shown that regular and
excessive consumption of alcohol (drinking
more than two drinks a day) may increase the
risk of hypertension.
3. Manage your weight
Excess body fat places extra stress on
your heart. It's thought that up to 75 percent
of the risk for high blood pressure is attribut-
able to excess weight. Losing weight is an
important step in helping to lower your blood
pressure levels.
4. Stamp out the smokes
Smoking damages your artery walls and
increases your blood pressure, significantly
increasing your chances of developing heart
disease. If you want to reduce your blood
pressure, cut back or preferably cut out ciga-
rette smoke.
5. Manage your stress
Chronic stress is known to trigger an
increase in blood pressure levels. Try to make
time for relaxation, or participate in activities
that have a calming effect, such as massage,
yoga or meditation. This helps to counteract
the effects of stress, and can help to reduce
your blood pressure levels.
6. Eat less salt
Research by Dr Paul Conlin published in
the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in
2008 demonstrates a strong link between salt
intake and an increase in blood pressure lev-
els. Fortunately, this is something you can
easily control by adding less salt to food, and
choosing foods that are low in salt, or salt-
reduced.
7. Eat fish at least three times a week
Omega-3 fatty acids have an anti-inflam-
matory effect which helps to support and
maintain a healthy cardiovascular system.
They help to maintain the flexibility of blood
vessels to promote healthy blood flow and
help maintain healthy blood pressure.
(Disclaimer: These health tips are taken
from well established and reliable sources and
are given in good faith. However, readers are
reminded to take care and consult their doctor
if not sure, as no responsibility can be accept-
ed by the writer of this column or The Indian
Down Under).
Just for Seniors
By Santram Bajaj
HUMOUR
Health & Well-being
Two secrets to keep your marriage
brimming
1. Whenever you're wrong, admit it,
2. Whenever you're right, shut up.
You must be very unhappy after your
wife divorced you, asked a friend.
On the contrary, I am relieved as I have
to clean up only my plates now.
Travel
By Vijay Badhwar
I
magine being on the highway
through the never never land
that bisects Australia right
through the middle, where the sight
is of an unending monologue of
vast stretches of desert with a slen-
der skin of salt bush, an occasional
flat top hillock or a lake which
regurgitates its heavy load of shim-
mering salt crystals on its bank.
Imagine, too, that during a break
after several hundred kilometres
you stop at a little township, pick
up a local paper. And what do you
find on its cover page - a bevy of
Indian girls in their sarees and sal-
war kameez at a gala night in a
remote mining town!
We are in South Australia driv-
ing north along Stuart Highway. A
week earlier, we had started from
Adelaide passing through the Clare
Valley historic towns and vineyards
deja vued through familiar labels
on drink bottles.
The drive through the country-
side is heavenly, the air through the
mildly undulating hills fresh and
fragrant, and we dont mind adding
several hours to our rather short
run of a few hundred kilometres by
missing the main highway to Port
Augusta and Quorn.
The turn from Quorn towards
Flinders Ranges National Park
through Hawker suddenly opens up
the surreal landscape from farming
lands to windswept mountain
ranges in the distance. There is
rarely a car that passes by and no
life in the distant horizon as far as
one can see. It reminds of John
Wayne/Clint Eastwood westerns
with horses galloping through the
stark wilderness, a pall of dust ris-
ing from their hoofs. A wall of oxi-
dised mountains, erect as soldiers
in attention, keeps constant compa-
ny, sometimes near and at other
times from a far off distance.
Hawker is a sleepy town on
way to Wilpena Pound, the main
attraction of the Flinders Ranges
National Park. There is only a pub
for food and a couple of motels but
not much else. Wilpena Pound is
only 45-odd kilometres away and
has a resort and other facilities
which may be a bit expensive in the
high season during school holidays.
According to Adnyamathanha
legend two giant serpents formed
the steep walls of the pound. The
amphitheatre-like rock formation is
1000 metres above sea level and is
17 km wide. The scientific explana-
tion is erosion of the sedimentary
rock while it looks like a crater
formed by a giant meteorite.
There are several walking/four-
wheel drive tracks off the main
road to Wilpena Pound. The moun-
tain range is of many hues of brown
and red depending on what time of
day it is. The dawn and sunset are
particularly amazing as the sun rays
reflect a plethora of colours from
the surrounding hills.
The accommodation is available
at several stops along the way
Rawnsley Park, Wilpena Pound
Resort, Leigh Creek and Blinman,
the farthest north. There are cara-
van park sites and tented accommo-
dation also at all the places. There
is not much tourist traffic in March
and the best accommodation at the
resort is offered to us at a much dis-
counted rate. There is breakfast and
dinner available at the restaurant,
but for lunch it is only sandwiches
and pies at the bookshop.
From the Pound there are sev-
eral walking tracks to suit all fitness
levels. The best is St Marys Peak
track which is nearly 12 km long
but has sections that are rated as
difficult. There is a shorter trek of
2.5 km to Hills cottage on the way
that is easy walk and has a lookout
that opens up the vast amphitheatre
created by nature. Part of this trek
is made easy by a regular bus serv-
ice that shortens the walk by
approximately a kilometre.
Detailed information of the various
walks is available at the resort.
The stories of the early settlers,
their tortuous resolve to survive
and make a success in the new land
is no different to present day
migrants whose toil makes the path
easier for their coming generations.
The Hills family story is one such
example. They leased the land in
1901 in such remote location to
grow wheat that was never attempt-
ed before. The drought in Australia
in the 1880s, obviously, had lured
the family into the mountains with
the prospect of better rainfall. They
toiled to till the land to farm but
there was no rain for a few years.
Then they built a road to be able to
transport the crop and the rain came
down in buckets. The road washed
away in the aftermath and the Hills
family decided to pack their bags.
There are various four-wheel
drives to places like Arkaroola and
through Parachilna and Brachina
gorges but are left to explore if
there is more time.
The restaurant at Rawnsley
Park serves a delicious meal with a
list of locally produced wines. The
surroundings are hard to match,
especially at night when the dark-
ened isolation stretches all around,
the only company provided by the
distant stars.
As we were headed north, we
found there were unsealed roads to
cut across to the highway. But we
heeded the local knowledge that the
roads turned treacherous even in a
small rain. So we came back
towards Quorn and Port Augusta to
take the Stuart Highway that virtu-
ally bisects Australia in the eastern
and western halves.
The drive is long but hassle free
as there is little traffic, the road vir-
tually straight and level. After
dusk, though, there is ever present
risk of animals jumping in front of
the dazzling headlights. Its a good
practice in these remote areas to
always top up fuel as the next petrol
station may be a few hundred kilo-
metres away.
We stop at Woomera for its
notoriety to house a detention cen-
tre in the past. It has, too, a rocket
tracking station that leaves its sig-
natures all over the town in parks
and street corners that are embel-
lished with displays of rockets and
other scientific apparatus.
As we take a break at the local
museum here, we find a whole his-
tory of detention stories. Also the
local paper Roxby Down Sun is full
of news from the nearby mining
town of Roxby Downs which
boasts a large Indian subcontinent
community. Coober Pedy is 375
km from Woomera which we can
cover in a few hours and still reach
the destination with plenty of day-
light left.
There are only occasional hills
along the long uninterrupted
stretches of highway and a few
shimmering lakes which are full
due to the unusual wet season
recently. As we walk towards Lake
Hart across a railway track, there
are mounds of salt on its bank.
Although the water is crystal clear,
it leaves our hands with a coating of
salt when the water evaporates.
We are 100 km away but can
sense the opal mining town
approaching as the landscape turns
into a moonscape. All along the
highway there are scattered patches
of mounds of dirt that the miners
have left near pier shafts looking
for opals.
Coober Pedy provides 85 per
cent of Australias opals, the other
towns being Lightening Ridge and
White Cliffs in NSW. The opals are
formed due to a unique process of
deposition of silica and organic
remains within the sedimentary
deposits in the once upon a time
ocean that receded 150 million
years ago. The town name is
derived from Aboriginal words
kupa piti which means white man
in a hole.
There are underground motels,
houses, even a dug out church
which creates a unique living expe-
rience for a tourist. An Indian
background tourist, even in this
remote location, will feel at home
as a number of young workers in
the mines, and especially in the
hospitality industry, are from
Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and,
of course, India. There are extra
points for them to fulfil immigra-
tion requirements.
The local attractions include the
Breakaways some 30 km away
from the township. This is a must
see formation of sedimentary mesas
where movies like Mad Max,
Beyond Thunderdome and Ground
Zero are created for its robust
panorama.
The 5,300 km Dog Fence also
passes near Coober Pedy. The two
metre high fence that may appear
like a strange idea to the visitors
was created to keep the dingos out
in order to protect sheep. The fence
in smaller proportion compares to
the Great Wall of China and goes
across three states.
As we drive back leisurely
towards Adelaide there are many
stories to share even during short
tea breaks in little towns. We come
to know of allegations that
Salisbury on the way was notorious
for the number of murders in the
place. But a lady we met coinci-
dently in the next town was from
Salisbury itself. She vehemently
denied the allegations. The towns
name was changed to Devron Park
to salvage its reputation, we come
to know. It was a rich experience
travelling in the outback, richer that
we came to know the land and its
people.
Coober Pedy provides 85 per cent of Australias opals, the other
towns being Lightening Ridge and White Cliffs in NSW.
Driving from Woomera to Coober Pedy, we came across Lake Hart, which is full due to the unusual wet
season recently and has mounds of salt on its bank.
Unbelievable? Maybe not finding on the front page of a newspaper
in a remote mining town a bevy of Indian girls in their sarees and
salwar kameez at a gala night!
From South Australia, travelling north, we came across the surreal
landscape from farming lands to windswept mountain ranges in the
distance, reminiscent of John Wayne/Clint Eastwood westerns with
horses galloping through the stark wilderness, a pall of dust rising
from their hoofs. A wall of oxidised mountains, erect as soldiers in
attention, keeps constant company, sometimes near and at other
times from a far off distance.
Body-Mind-Spirit
By Kanaka Ramakrishna
T
he immortal epic, Ramayana, origi-
nally written by Valmiki and later
by other great poets in their vernac-
ular, is a veritable treasure chest of char-
acters. Each poet admires a particular
character of his choice. But no one can
excel Tulsidas, the author of Ramacharita
Manasa, in depicting the character of
Bharata with so much of admiration and
adoration. Bharata, the sublime incarnate,
is far different from any other character in
the whole of Ramayana. His devotion to
Rama, his austerity and self-abnegation are
beyond imagination.
Bharatas life in the epic does not have
a narrative continuity, except he appears in
phases. He was born as Ramas immediate
younger brother and later he went to
Gurukula with his brothers. Next, he
comes to the picture at his wedding. When
Rama was married to Sita, all the other
brothers were also married at the same
time. Bharata was married to Mandavi, the
daughter of Janakas brother.
Bharatas personality in the Ramayana
can be seen clearly only after Sri Ramas
exile to the forest and after the death of
Dasaratha. At that time Bharata was away
in his uncles house. The family priest
Vasistha sent a message to him to come
back immediately to Ayodhya. When
Bharata returned and learnt what all had
happened in his absence and the cause for
the exile of Rama and his fathers death, he
was mortified. He severely reprimanded
his mother and immediately decided to
bring Rama back and if need be, he would
serve Ramas exile instead.
However pure and genuine, Bharata
was looked at with suspicion and doubt at
first by the people of Ayodhya, who had
thought that Bharata had a role in Ramas
exile. He had to face peoples eyes doubt-
ing his intentions again and again. It is
only when they heard about his firm deci-
sion to bring Rama back to Ayodhya, their
doubts and hatred towards Bharata van-
ished. When he proceeded to the forest
with the royal family and the royal army,
many citizens accompanied him.
Vasishta the royal priest, who was to
coronate Rama according to Bharatas
desire, also accompanied them. Bharata
described his concern for Rama, saying, I
am not so much pained because my moth-
er committed an evil deed, or that people
think that I conspired with her or my father
passed away. But clad in deer-skin, feed-
ing on wild fruits, sleeping on the ground
covered with grass and leaves and living
under trees, Rama has to constantly endure
cold and heat, rain and storm. This is the
burning agony consuming my heart so
much I have no desire to eat or to sleep.
When he came near the Ganga, Guha,
the leader of the hunters clan, who had
helped Rama to cross the River Ganga,
doubted Bharatas intention and alerted his
army to stop him proceeding any further.
It is only after knowing Bharatas noble
purpose, Guha told him about Rama and
showed the way to sage Bharadwajas
Ashrama.
Bharadwaja duly received Bharata.
But, seeing the army he suspected Bharata
might be having evil designs against Rama.
It was only after he was satisfied that
Bharata was genuine and would not do any
harm to Rama, he showed the route to
Chitrakuta.
The mutual love, admiration and con-
cern that Rama and Bharata had for each
other is unique. They excel in showing
concern and love to each other is high-
lighted by their deep affection and divine
love. While going to Chitrakuta on the
thorn filled roads, Bharata walked bare-
foot and ate only fruits and herbs. All the
while his thoughts were only about Rama
and to persuade him to return to Ayodhya
as the king.
When Bharata came to Chitrakuta, he
ordered his army to camp outside behind a
hill, with the good intention of not disturb-
ing the quietude and peace of the holy
place where Rama resided. However, the
dust of the horses hoofs alerted Rama and
Lakshmana.
When Rama heard that Bharata had
arrived with an army, he understood his
true intentions and his eyes were filled
with tears. But Lakshmana wrongly con-
cluded that Bharata had come to kill Rama
and usurp the throne for himself. Shot with
anger, Lakshmana pulled his arrow to kill
Bharata. Rama advised him not to act in
haste and repent later.
He said, Lakshmana, there is no
brother as pure and as noble as Bharata.
Ayodhya is too insignificant to corrupt his
mind. The devoted Bharata had sacrificed
everything to serve Rama, but Lakshmana
failed to understand him.
Rama highlighted Bharatas devotion
on many instances. When he was walking
through the forest a thorn pricked his foot.
He then requested Mother Earth to see that
there is no thorn on the way when Bharata
walked there.
Mother Earth was surprised and said,
O Rama, your feet are so tender and
Bharata is a saint beyond the feelings of
pleasure and pain. Rama smiled and told
her, You have not understood me. If
there is a thorn on the way when Bharata
comes, he will feel pained thinking that
such thorns must have pricked my tender
feet. He will not be concerned with what
pricks his feet, but he cannot bear even the
thought of his Lords feet being pricked.
So if there is no thorn on the way, he will
be happy not knowing of a thorn pricked
my feet.
Bharatas meeting with Rama at
Chitrakuta was one of the most poignant
moments in Ramayana. Bharata told Rama
the painful sad news of their fathers death.
For Bharata, Ayodhya without Rama was
no Ayodhya. He begged Rama to return to
Ayodhya. But neither his tears nor
entreaties were of any use in changing the
mind of Rama, who had decided to stay in
the forest in obedience to his fathers com-
mand.
Rama lifted up the prostrate Bharata,
embraced him and told in gentle words,
Trust me oh! Bharata, you are the one
endowed with lofty ideals virtue,
strength and ability. You are competent to
rule. But listen to me. The truth abiding
Rama will on no account fall back on the
promise that has been given already.
While Bharata was in Chitrakuta, one
day Rama asked him, I have come to the
forest to fulfil my fathers words. But I
hear of you telling others that it is because
of your sins that I have come to the for-
est. Bharata agreed and said, Yes,
because of my sins you have to come to the
forest. Rama made the stunning retort,
O! Bharata, who indeed can be greater in
virtue than you, whose sin equals to my
punya?
Bharata humbly requested Rama for
his padukas (sandals) as a token of his
love, kindness, and high command. He
said, I shall be serving you as a regent
until you return to Ayodhya. But immedi-
ately after the expiry of fourteen years, if
you fail to return the following day, I will
certainly enter into the fire.
Taking the padukas, Bharata returned
to Ayodhya and kept them on the throne.
He lived in Nandigrama, a small village
near Ayodhya, and looked after the affairs
of the state as Ramas regent. He lived the
life of a hermit just like Rama lived in the
forest, wearing the garments of a hermit
and eating wild berries and bulbs.
Bharata ruled Ayodhya by his spiritual
energy and goodwill, without even a single
incidence of violence, cruelty or wicked-
ness. His non-use of arms does not indicate
his weakness or passiveness or inaction,
but a different attitude of his mind and dif-
ferent choice of means for attaining his
goal. He ruled as a saint-king unheard of in
the kshatriya dynasty. During his rule,
peace and prosperity flourished. He enor-
mously improved and increased the state
treasury and stores and widened as well as
strengthened the boundaries of Ramas
kingdom without resorting to arms.
Bharata was ever the same saintly soul,
but later even Rama wanted to test his loy-
alty.
After the exile period was over, on his
way back to Ayodhya, Rama sent
Hanuman ahead to go to Ayodhya and find
out whether Bharata still cherished the
same love and loyalty to him. If he had not
changed, then only Hanuman had to assure
Bharata that Rama was on his way to
Ayodhya and to prevent him from entering
the sacrificial fire.
Hanuman immediately left with the
speed of a wind, found the pious Bharata
preparing to enter the fire and gave him the
happy news of Ramas homecoming.
Ramas arrival was the most fulfilling
event in Bharatas life. The Noble soul,
offered obeisance and returned Ramas
kingdom, which was ten times more than
what he was entrusted with. Having
admired Bharatas love and dedication,
Rama ruled Ayodhya as an ideal king and
established the ideal kingdom, Rama
Rajya. After his rule, when it was time
for him to return to his abode, Rama
walked into the Sarayu River, shed his
human body and transformed himself into
his original form of Mahavishnu. Bharata
also followed him, walked into the river
and was united with him.
It is through Bharatas spiritualism that
Ramayana reached its fullest dimension of
an epic. It is Bharatas power of soul that
adds to the epic a new depth. He was a
saint in the family of kshatriyas.
It is Bharatas power of soul that adds to the epic a new depth. His devotion to Rama,
his austerity and self-abnegation are beyond imagination.
He was a saint in the family of kshatriyas.
Bharatas love gives soul to Ramayana
Bharata requested Rama for his padukas (sandals), saying, I shall be serving you as
a regent until you return to Ayodhya.
Body-Mind-Spirit
By Swami Atmeshananda
F
reedom or Salvation as the
goal of life is the funda-
mental theme of all reli-
gions. Freedom presupposes that
we are bound and hence should
strive to come out of the predica-
ment that we are in. Struggle is
intrinsic in life, both to the
worldly and to the spiritual.
What differentiates a worldly
person from a spiritual person is
that a spiritual person seeks free-
dom from the world whereas the
worldly person seeks freedom to
enjoy the world.
But when we become even
dimly aware of the source of
bliss within ourselves, we lose
interest in our toys, our little
goals and pleasures of life and
eventually throw them aside for
the Bhuma Great Joy that
results from the search within
ourselves.
However, what is important
in life is not man's state of
bondage but his ignorance of the
true nature of bondage and free-
dom. Very often a state of
bondage is mistaken for true
freedom and, by striving for
wrong types of freedom, people
only strengthen their bondage.
CONCEPT OF BONDAGE
One of the important ideas
shared by all religions is the view
that man is in a dire situation and
needs to be saved from that. The
human predicament is, however,
conceived in different ways in
different faiths.
Sri Ramakrishna
Paramahamsa (1836-1886)
speaks of four classes of people-
1) the ever-free, 2) liberated
souls, 3) seekers after liberation
and 4) bound souls. This is clear
from the following illustration by
him:
Suppose a net has been cast
into a lake to catch fish. Some
fish are so clever that they are
never caught in the net. They are
like the ever-free. But most of
the fish are entangled in the net.
Some of them try to free them-
selves from it, and they are like
those who seek liberation. But
not all the fish that struggle suc-
ceed. A very few do jump out of
the net, making a big splash in
the water. Then the fishermen
shout, Look! There goes a big
one! But most of the fish caught
in the net cannot escape, nor do
they make any effort to get out.
On the contrary, they burrow
into the mud with the net in their
mouths and lie there quietly,
thinking, we need not fear any-
more; we are quite safe here
but the poor things do not know
that the fishermen will drag them
out with the net. These are like
the men bound to the world
(Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna).
The Yoga Philosophy, pro-
pounded by Sage Patanjali, views
the individual soul as bound
within the wheel of transmigrato-
ry existence (samsara). The
wheel has six spokes which are
10) dharma (virtue) 2) adharma
(vice) 3) sukha (happiness) 4)
duhkha (sorrow) 5) raga (attach-
ment) and 6) dvesa (repulsion).
Good actions lead to happiness
and bad actions lead to suffering;
happiness leads to attachment
and suffering leads to repulsion,
which in turn produces good and
bad actions, respectively, the
whole series thus constituting a
cycle - the wheel of transmigra-
tory existence. The hub of this
wheel is avidya, ignorance of the
real nature of the self.
Buddhism does not consider
the soul as immortal spirit.
According to the doctrine of
dependent origination (pratitya-
samut pada ) what appears as the
self or ego is nothing but a com-
bination (sanghata) of various
elements which are a part of the
universal 'chain of causation and
flux, according to Nagarjuna.
He goes on to show that every-
thing is dependent on something
else to exist. Nothing can exist
without something else existing.
This is the meaning of emptiness.
And this is dependent arising
(pratityasamutpada).This combi-
nation is born again and again in
accordance with the Law of
Karma. Buddha considered this
state of human existence duhkha
(suffering).
Christianity conceives of
human existence as a state of
damnation by which is meant sin
and exile from paradise. The
'original sin' of disobedience to
God committed by Adam and
Eve is shared by all humanity,
and hence there is a natural ten-
dency in every being to do evil.
Thus on the one hand, man has to
bear the burden of a guilty con-
science and, on the other, he is
separated from God.
In Judaism and Islam man's
present condition is regarded nei-
ther as bondage nor as damna-
tion; it is simply the normal state
of affairs in the inscrutable plan
of God.
CONCEPT OF
FREEDOM IN DIFFERENT
RELIGIONS
Hinduism conceives of salva-
tion as freedom from bondage -
mukti. According to some
schools of Hindu thought, mukti
can be obtained through ones
self effort, whereas according to
Bhakti schools God alone can lib-
erate man.
The Buddhist term for salva-
tion is Nirvana. Though it is
often translated as 'deliverance,
what it really means is the cessa-
tion or extinction of suffering.
According to Buddhism, every-
one can attain the state of
Buddhahood and thus become
free from the cycle of birth and
death.
In Christianity salvation is
known as redemption. Through
his death on the cross Christ
atoned for humanity, brought
about a 'reconciliation' between
the Father and human beings
(some Christian theologians,
including St. Augustine, regard
Christ's death as ransom paid to
the Devil) and has thus redeemed
man from the 'original sin'. The
redeemed soul returns to para-
dise and experiences the nearness
with God for ever. Since
Christian theologians regard the
body and soul as inseparable,
they speak of the 'resurrection'
of the body with the soul (after
death or after the Last
Judgement).
Though Judaism concentrates
on the importance of the earthly
world (Olam Ha'zeh "this
world"), all of classical Judaism
posits an afterlife. The hereafter
is known as ha-'olam ha-ba (the
"world to come"), and relates to
concepts of Gan Eden (the
Heavenly "Garden of Eden", or
Paradise).
In Islamic conception of sal-
vation, humans are on the path-
way to God and hope to become
close to God in Paradiseafter
death and after the "Final
Judgment"while Sufis believe
that it is possible to draw closer
to God and to more fully
embrace the Divine Presence in
this life.
CONDITIONS FOR
FREEDOM
Hinduism insists on direct,
immediate ('mystic') experience
of the transcendental Self or
Atman as the only means of
obtaining mukti.
In all other religions moral life
and faith in God are enough to
achieve salvation. Christianity
holds membership in a Church as
an additional condition for
salvation.
In Theravada Buddhism, strict
observance of moral principles is
regarded as almost wholly suffi-
cient for the attainment of
salvation.
Of course, every religion
either dogmatically asserts or tac-
itly implies that salvation is possi-
ble only for its own followers.
Goal-orientation, a clear-cut phi-
losophy of life, a definite routine,
study of scriptures, and helping
those in need are the essential fea-
tures of all religions. When the
mind is stable and calm, it
becomes easier to understand and
deal with the sources of bondage
which are hidden in the depths of
consciousness.
The quest for freedom
a spiritual view
Religions suggest ways to knowledge from
ignorance, from bondage to freedom, and
from darkness to light.
April Mat 1, 2012: Seeking a
Hindu girl, vegetarian, preferably
Gujarati, with good family values, for
my son. He is 36, divorced, no children,
fair, 58, well-built, non-smoker, light
drinks. He is an Australian citizen,
works as a tax consultant and lives with
his parents. His two sisters live sepa-
rately. We have lived in Sydney for 19
years. Contact 0423 328 800 or
sydau714@hotmail.com.
April Mat 2, 2012. Seeking a well
qualified Hindu male, aged between 49
54, for a very fair, young looking
Hindu lady, aged 54 and an Australian
citizen. He should be a non smoker and
should have strong moral values. Caste
no bar. She is an eggetarian, divorced
and has a 19 year old daughter living
with her. Contact lifepartner@hot-
mail.com.au.
April Mat 3, 2012. Seeking suit-
able professional match for beautiful,
slim, fair, cultured Indian Hindu
Brahmin girl 30 years (1981/166cm).
Educated in Australia, Australian citi-
zen, Lawyer, currently working abroad,
from a well settled family in Sydney for
29 years. Family orientated. Divorcee,
innocent, issueless, very brief marriage.
Serious inquiries only. Email with all
details
April Mat 4, 2012. Hindu Punjabi
business parents invite alliance from a
beautiful educated girl for their highly
qualified son 30/6'3", a very well placed
financial consultant with a leading
multinational company in UK. Will be
in Australia in July, Caste no bar. Send
BHP to ukshaadi@hotmail.com
April Mat 5, 2012. . Well settled
family in Australia inviting alliance for
27 year old, 5"11, Sood Punjabi boy,
B.Software Engineer(honors) and is
working as a senior IT Consultant for
the Australian government on high
income. Seeking Indian girl, caste no
bar. Please call 0414-518-312. Email
aumohindra@gmail.com
April Mat 6, 2012. Seeking com-
patible well educated, employed profes-
sional/ business match, with Indian
background, broad minded/ mature out-
look, independent, divorcee, age 47
years onward, For caring, honest,
friendly, Indian Christian divorcee
Australian citizen, 48 yrs 5'3" tall, much
younger looking than age, attractive,
graceful looking graduate nurse,
employed. Caste no bar. Email details to
emily.lotus@hotmail.com
April Mat 7, 2012. April Mat
Seeking suitable match ( from Australia
) never married, for Hindu Girl 34 yrs,
Chartered Accountant (Non veg) living
in Australia over 25 yrs with eastern and
western family values.. Please email
with all details on
ganesh2011v@gmail.com
April Mat 8., 2012. Seeking match
for my brother, Hindu, Gujarati -Patel ,
31, 6 ft, vegetarian, Masters in
Computing Studies, working and living
in USA (American citizen). Looking for
a loving Gujarati girl, caring with good
family values, well cultured settled or
trying to settle in USA or Australia,
preferably with a PR/Citizenship.
Email: bluepools2012@gmail.com
April Mat 9. Male, Age 27,
(Cleanshaven Sikh), caste no bar, either
the Girl is Hindu or Sikh as long as
Indian background.He is Australian
born, Educated in UK with Msc. in
Finance, working in Sydney for a lead-
ing bank, seeking a suitable Soul mate.
Kindly please reply to his Parents in
Sydney Email: tejpadam@gmail.com. .
Matrimonials
MATRIMONIALS
May - June 2012 THE INDIAN DOWN UNDER 51
Columns
By Karam Ramrakha
Karam C Ramrakha, ex Fiji
MP who celebrates 57 years as a
lawyer, has written many articles
on Fiji. While in Fiji he was twice
President of Fiji Law Society, 1970
and 1974 and for seven years
1967-1974 trade union President of
Fiji Teachers. He sees Fiji's situa-
tion as confused and that people on
the outside are receiving contradic-
tory signals...
He may be contacted on (02)
98082760 or email: karamcram-
rakha@gmail.com.
T
ry as he might, Frank
Bainimarama (FB), military
man that he is, has not been
able to dodge the elections bullet.
From Day 1 he has been in the
international sights: go back to the
people and let them decide.
Yes, Ben Franklin said two
things in life are certain: death and
taxes. Now the world demands
elections. We have had polls
galore, some "free and fair", some
tainted as in Syria.
But Fiji, Little Fiji of the
Pacific, currently in the grip of
what a hostile Website calls "Four
and a Half coups" still suffers inter-
national blows ... elections or else?
Have coups worked anywhere
in the world? I vividly recall the
relief the Pakistani lady behind a
post office counter felt as she
exclaimed how Pervez Musharraf
would be a different coup leader,
and will not amass wealth like the
"others".
FB has set out to prove that his
is a benign coup, that he acted to
prevent racially unjust laws being
put in place, that he will build a
country where all citizens are
equal: one person, one vote, one
value. An even playing field with-
out discrimination. And in the
process his military might first dis-
banded the Fiji Law Society and
controlled all the media. He went
on to clash with the Methodist
Church to which the bulk of the
indigenous Fijians belonged and
abolished their Great Council of
Chiefs. Ironic because the Church
played a leading role in Rabuka's
two coups of 1987 and the coup
plotters met and formulated their
plans in the Bible Society rooms of
that Church. Rabuka would go on
to insist that Fiji should be a
Christian country and enforced old
style Sunday observance for a
while. FB, a Catholic, had support
from Rev. Petero Mataca - Head of
the Catholic Church and formulated
a Reconciliation Charter. By and
large no one in Fiji aches for a
return to elections and Fijians have
been voted one of the happiest peo-
ple in the world. Most saw
Parliament as a Talk Fest with
politicians in dark suits. Indeed
how many of us even in Australia
feel the direct impact of Parliament
or whether we can control it.
But FB was forced to give a
time table for elections. Pressure
came from the West and the
European Economic Community.
Frank promised elections in 2009
but now has made it
2014. Scepticism persists
whether polls will ever take place
with him at the helm. The most
vocal critic is Samoa's Prime
Minister Tuileapa who has not
spared FB. After all the military is
the largest single force in Fiji.
Every aspect of life in Fiji is either
controlled by or under the scrutiny
of the military and that includes the
police force and the civil service.
There is also the question of
whether in international law FB's
government is legal and has the
authority to promulgate a constitu-
tion and hold elections when the
source of its authority continues to
be tainted, a poisoned chalice, say
the critics. Rabuka was lucky. He
promulgated a self drafted constitu-
tion and forced it on Fiji with elec-
tions in 1992.
Afterwards he would submit to
the Reeves Commission and a new
1997 Constitution was promulgat-
ed, and was the source of two elec-
tions which led to the now deposed
Qarase government.
Now with elections in the off-
ing Barsati Medhaks (frogs in rainy
season) are out in full force.
Chaudhry's Labour Party still
exists despite problems with crimi-
nal charges against him. Besides,
the Fiji Labour Party with its
Indian support will face difficulties
as many Indians that could, have
fled Fiji. Once a majority, the
Indian percentage has fallen to 32%
percent today.
The indigenous are still a
majority and with their ownership
of 95% of the land can call the
shots. Ex-PM Qarase with his
indigenous support still sits pretty.
Rumours are that Chaudhry will
Coalesce with Qarase.
What does the future hold for
Fiji?
The bulk of us Indians will
think of survival before opting to
vote blindly along racial lines.
That, I submit, will be Fiji's
future, and already the racial barri-
ers are seen to have broken down
and Fiji's elections destined to be
held on a common roll basis will
provide a democratic majority that
will work for the progress of Fiji,
rather than one section of it. In the
days of yore, it was for our
European masters. Later it was for
the Fijian chiefs bolstered by an
Indian elite, and today I hope it
will be for all of Fiji.
If that happens, FB's bold
experiment --a coup which was not
a coup - will have succeeded. It is
time for Australia to send its
respected anthropologists to assess
the situation rather than sporadic
aid and carping criticism. It is time
to end all restrictions and resume
full engagement with Fiji at this
critical hour. God bless Fiji.
In Fiji poll, voting will not be along racial lines
Watch out for typos they can make you look stoopid
W
eve all made typos those pesky
errors that sneak into our writing
when we hit the wrong key or suf-
fer a momentary lapse in concentration.
Thats why we have smart programs such as
spellchecker and autocorrect, which were cre-
ated to make our jobs easier. When autocor-
rect, for example, comes across a sentence
like The Sixth Cense is my favorite movie
by M. Night Shyamalan, it automatically
corrects it to The Sixth Sense is my favorite
movie by M. Night Shy Melon.
As you can see, proofreading is very
important, otherwise your writing might be
full of very embracing errors. You might
even have to apologize publicly for a typo, as
many individuals and organizations have been
forced to do throughout history. Indeed,
when Moses first brought the Ten
Commandments down from the mountain,
they seemed to contain a decree against skin
lightening creams: Thou shalt not bear false
whiteness.
A more recent example comes from the
University of Texas at Austin, where the
2012 commencement program distributed to
students stated that they were graduating
from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of
Pubic Affairs.
The university apparently learned about
the mistake when a student asked if the grad-
uation ceremony was open to the general
pubic.
The university should take a lesson from
other educators, such as the teachers union in
Twin Rivers Unified School District in
California which recently sent out a flyer
with this important message: Twin Rivers
teachers are strong supporters of Parent-
Teacher partnerships to assure that parents
and teachers work together to educaate our
children.
The correct word, as even George W.
Bush will tell you, is educumate.
Some years ago, The Torrance Press, a
weekly newspaper in California, accepted an
ad from Sealy mattress company carrying the
slogan: Sleeping on a Sealy is like sleeping
on a cloud. But when the ad appeared in the
paper, it read: Sleeping on a Sealy is like
slipping on a cloud. The newspaper apolo-
gized and agreed to print the ad again at no
charge. It re-appeared the following week:
Sleeping on a Sealy is like sleeping on a
clod.
Theres an important lesson here: To
embarrass an entire organization, all it takes
is one clod.
At least those errors werent particularly
offensive. Des Moines Area Community
College in Iowa got into trouble in 2008 for a
calendar entry in its school handbook. The
entry for Feb. 16, 2009 (during Black
History Month) was supposed to say Black
History Lunch and Learn, but instead
appeared as Black History Linch and
Learn.
It was a little too close to the word
lynch for anyones comfort. But all it took
was a slip of the finger for that typo to occur.
Much harder to explain is the error that
caused Penguin Books Australia to destroy
7,000 copies of its cookbook The Pasta Bible
in 2010. The publisher had to apologize after
a recipe for tagliatelle with sardines and pro-
sciutto listed among its ingredients salt and
freshly ground black people.
The publisher apparently learned of the
mistake when a diligent reader sent an email
to the author: Regarding your recipe for
tagliatelle with sardines and prosciutto, would
it be okay to substitute a white person?
Back in 2007, CNN had to apologize for
a graphic it used during a piece about the
hunt for Osama bin Laden. The graphic
asked the question: Wheres Obama?
Producers at the network realized their mis-
take when they received hundreds of calls
from astute viewers informing them on the
whereabouts of Obama. I just spotted him in
Chicago, one man said. Dont worry, he
wasnt looking at any tall buildings.
Four years later, when bin Laden was
killed, a Fox News affiliate in Sacramento
ran a Breaking News graphic that said:
Reports: Obama bin Laden Killed.
The stations producers realized their mis-
take when an alert viewer called them. He
isnt dead! the woman said. I just saw him
on the news, taking credit for killing some
guy named Osama.
As you can see, typos can be both offen-
sive and embarrassing. Thats why, even in
the age of Twitter, its important to carefully
proofread what we write. Otherwise, like the
University of Texas at Austin, well get what
we deserve: a lot of pubic ridicule.
THE HUMOR OF MELVIN DURAI
Fijian and Indian students who attend a Muslim School
walk home after school.
52 THE INDIAN DOWN UNDER May - June 2012
Body-Mind-Spirit
A
.A. Gill - part English,
part Scot, part Indian,
born in Edinburgh
1953- is author, travel writer,
journalist, also the resident
restaurant and TV critic for the
London Sunday Times.
His writing is stylish, irrev-
erent, satirical. He can be irri-
table, acerbic and mischievous-
ly funny.
Having read his book
Previous Convictions for the
third time, articles on his wan-
derings around the globe, his
exquisitely skilled portraits of
places actually had me contem-
plating a trip to Greenland.
Well for ten minutes anyway.
His unforgettable quotes:
"The Japanese are the peo-
ple that aliens might be if
they'd learnt Human by corre-
spondence course and wanted
to slip in unnoticed."
"A lobster bisque ought to
be the crowning glory of
potager. And this one was
excellent.
Silky as a gigolo's compli-
ment and fishy as a chancellor's
promise."
"Christmas dinner, the sin-
gle most disgusting meal
invented with the exception of
the American thanksgiving,
which, though similar, man-
ages to be marginally worse.
Nobody sane or loving could
invent Christmas food from
scratch."
"I have never acted on a
press release or gone out to din-
ner with a PR person. I think
PR is a ridiculous job; they are
the head lice of civilization."
"Its not staring at the face
of starvation that thuds like a
blow to your heart. It is having
starvation stare back at you."
"A good cheese trolley was
driven by an authentically
Japanese-ish person. Now
theres no reason why the
Japanese shouldn't be allowed
to drive French curds without
supervision except that the
Japanese think fermented milk
is more disgusting then licking
hospital sheets."
"Sport is how poor kids
from poor countries pass
through the eye of the needle to
riches and recognition."
"The truth about whats
really caught on the end of your
fork is that food is death. A
swap, an exchange. A ransom.
Something dies for your contin-
ued life, and one day that will
be you, a naked potato on
someone else's fork, which is
obviously true. I mean, before
you get to enjoy the invitation
to attend the eternal barbecue
or start your angelically danc-
ing with pigeons up stairs, the
worms will get you."
"Sean Bean is a performer
who has the drama and range of
a tiddlywink albeit a very angry
tiddlywink"
"India is a poor place but
only in economic terms. On
any other scale you care to
think of, its rich beyond the
dreams of avarice. Any fool
country can have democracy
and freedom of speech and a
rudimentary social security sys-
tem when they've got the cash,
but to achieve these things
when you don't is humbling.
India is the most miracu-
lous of all modern states. A
secular, democratic, theocracy.
And if you measure wealth in
terms of any of the things that
matter - family, spirituality,
manners, inquisitiveness,
inventiveness, dexterity, cul-
ture, history and food - then
India would be hosting the next
G7 conference and sending
charity workers to California.
Of all the places you'll
never got to because of squea-
mishness, trepidation, laziness
and dodgy bowel India is far
and away your greatest loss,"
quoted from an article, A Short
Walk in the Hindu Crush.
A.A. Gill: Stylish, satirical, irreverent
Of all the places you'll never
got to because of squeamish-
ness, trepidation, laziness and
dodgy bowel India is far and
away your greatest loss,"
quoted from an article,
A Short Walk in the Hindu
Crush by A.A. Gill.
Inner Space
By Faith Harper
Dilip Mahanty Column
By Dilip Mahanty
I
PL is increasingly becoming a
Frankenstein, threatening to
turn against its creator. The 20-
20 cricket tournament was in a nas-
cent state when it was promoted by
ICL as the participating players
were mostly fringe players who did
not have much hope of making it to
the national stage. The money
offered, while not being a kings
ransom, was attractive enough to
build a comfortable economic
future for them.
This format was initially
shunned by both BCCI as well as
national level cricketers who were
content playing the ODIs and
Tests. The biff and bash format did
not suit their style and needed a lot
of adjustment. THEN IT HAP-
PENED!
BCCI sent a Dhoni-led Indian
team to participate in the inaugural
World Cup in 2007 in South
Africa. Much to the surprise of
everybody India won it and the fan-
fare that followed would have felt
to the uninitiated as if India had
conquered the whole world. The
public interest that followed with
the political and corporate world
pouring unheard of rewards in
terms of cash and landed property
was unbelievable.
BCCI, with the canny Lalit
Modi driving it, suddenly saw an
opportunity to cash in on this new
found enthusiasm for a different
sort of entertainment. To start the
ball rolling it had to get ICL out of
the way as a rival. It did so with
gusto using its considerable clout.
Pressure was put on ICL manage-
ment as well as the players with
threats of outlawing this tourna-
ment and the players involved. ICL
could not match the wealth and
clout of BCCI and withdrew from
the fight.
Having got rid of the main irri-
tant, Modi plunged full steam
ahead. He wanted to replicate the
English Premier League in soccer
and create a brand which would
attract big money through TV
rights, corporate sponsorship and
team ownership. After establishing
these he added glamour, razza-
matazz, chutzpah to this tourna-
ment with short skirted cheer lead-
ers doing the pompomed rah-rah
every time a four or six was hit or
a wicket fell. Indian viewers, both
TV as well as from the stands, had
never experienced such in your
face entertainment and remained
glued to the inaugural IPL tourna-
ment in 2008. Team owners,
including corporate giants and
Bollywood heavies, offered outra-
geous amounts of money to Indian
and overseas players to play for
their teams.
Suddenly for players from
modest background and living out-
side the metros it became a dream
come true. They were being
offered lakhs and crores of rupees
to participate in a six-week tourna-
ment. In addition, they were rub-
bing shoulders with corporate lead-
ers and glamorous actresses/models
who they had wall papered in their
bedrooms. The after match parties,
with liquor flowing copiously and
party girls more than willing to
flirt, made the IPL players feel that
they had achieved nirvana on earth.
The next two IPL tournaments,
built on this overwhelming success
and Modis financial acumen, con-
tinued the trend and many overseas
players abandoned playing for their
countries to participate in this
lucrative format. Flushed with suc-
cess, Modi, with increasing arro-
gance, overreached himself. He
initiated shady deals and included
more teams to the tournament. He
was also criticised for going over
the top in the entertainment sphere
taking the focus away from the
game. With many charges against
him, Modi resigned from his post
and went overseas.
Gradually, however, the tour-
nament lost its initial sheen and the
viewing public had too much of
the good thing. The decline started
in 2010 with IPL4 which started a
few days after India won the ODI
World Cup. Viewership and TV
rating declined and corporate spon-
sors were not very generous with
their money.
In the meantime, BCCI
demanded from ICC a window for
this tournament which would
enable leading players from every
cricket playing nation to partici-
pate. England, whose cricket sea-
son starts around the time IPL is
played, has been resistant, not
merely because it does not want to
fiddle with its calendar but also due
to the increasing money and clout
BCCI seems to enjoy. The ECB
seems to resent this power shifting
from its clutches. However, with
more and more English players
showing interest in IPL this resist-
ance is bound to break and a defi-
nite window will sooner or later
come into being.
IPL 5 started inauspiciously
with TV channels not willing to
fork out the sums of money BCCI
demanded for renewal of rights.
Some team owners whose teams
enjoyed only modest success want-
ed to sell off these teams but buyers
were not easily forthcoming. There
was also a payment dispute
between BCCI and Indian team
sponsor Sahara which threatened to
disrupt this tournament. Sahara
wanted to withdraw its team, Pune,
from the tournament and also dump
the sponsorship of the Indian team.
Desperate last minute negotiations
by N Srinivasan, BCCI Chairman,
saw Sahara continue its support.
A number of controversies
have dogged this tournament:
1. BCCI has kept its sources of
IPL funds secret. There is specula-
tion that black money sent overseas
was coming back as white in form
of investments in many ventures,
including IPL. BCCI does not have
a transparent accounting system
and resists any move to introduce
RTI to examine its books.
2. Ajay Maken, Minister for
Sports, is a strident critic of
BCCIs hush hush policy and wants
total transparency in BCCIs run-
ning of Indian cricket.
3. The BCCI-Sahara payment
spat almost derailed the tourna-
ment.
4. Some IPL players have
admitted to being paid under the
table by their owners on top of their
auction fees.
5. Some IPL players admitted
to being paid for spot fixing in
some matches.
6. A couple of IPL players
were involved in a nightclub brawl.
7. Luke Pomersbach was
involved in an unsavoury incident
with a couple of Indian origin cou-
ple from the US.
8. The BCCI President, accord-
ing to reports in a few Indian news-
papers/magazines, was alleged to
have ill treated his gay son and the
partner for leading an alternative
lifestyle. The son made these alle-
gations in an interview.
Reports about IPL5 suggest that
while TV rating and sponsorship
deals have suffered, the attendance
at the stadia was generally high.
Whether this trend will continue
next year is a matter of conjecture.
IPL5 mired in controversies
Mumbai Cricket Association banned Bollywood superstar and Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner Shah Rukh
Khan from entering the Wankhede stadium for five years for bad behaviour.
Australian player Luke Pomersbach was arrested after an unsavoury incident with
a couple of Indian origin couple from the US.
BCI suspended 5 players for spot fixing: TP Sudhindra, Mohnish Mishra, Amit Yadav,
Shalabh Shrivastava and Abhinav Bali.
The Kersi Meher-Homji Column
Kolkata Knight Riders win IPL title
Controversies galore in IPL 2012
K
olkata Knight Riders won
the IPL 2012. It was a
sweet victory for them as
they even entered the final for the
first time. On the other hand,
Chennai Super Kings entered the
final for the fourth time this year,
having won the inaugural IPL
titles in 2008, 2010 and in 2011
and being runners up this time.
In an exciting final on May 27
in Chennai, KKR defeated CSK
by five wickets with just two balls
remaining.
Chennai started off promising-
ly with Mike Hussey hitting 54
(with two sixes) and Suresh Raina
scintillating with 73 off 38 balls
including five sixes and a strike
rate of 192.10. They ended the
innings at 3 for 190 at 9.5 runs per
over.
It looked a tough assignment
for Kolkata but 27-year-old
Manvinder Bisla from Haryana
and the famous Test all-rounder
Jacques Kallis from South Africa
struck brilliant half-centuries to
help Kolkata to a five-wicket vic-
tory in a high scoring final.
Opener Bisla plundered 89 off
48 balls with eight fours and five
sixes, and Kallis hit 69 off 49
balls, as Kolkata scored 5-192 in
19.4 overs at the Chidambaram
Stadium in their first appearance
in an IPL final. Bislas 89 is the
second highest individual score in
an IPL final, next only to
Chennais Murali Vijays 95 off
52 balls in the 2011 final.
Manoj Tiwary struck two suc-
cessive boundaries off West
Indian pacer Dwayne Bravo to
help the Kolkata clinch a thrilling
final.
There was a galaxy of former
Indian cricketers in attendance,
the brightest lights from
Bollywood were in the stands.
Bisla was adjudged Man of the
Match and Kolkatas off-spinner
Sunil Narine (from the West
Indies) was the Player of the
Series.
Another West Indian, Chris
Gayle representing Royal
Challengers Bangalore, scored
most runs in the current IPL, 733
runs at 61.08 although South
African Jean-Paul Duminy had the
best batting average, 81.33.
Mumbai Indias Sachin Tendulkar
was in poor form making only 324
runs at 29.45.
South African fast bowler
Morne Morkel, playing for Delhi
Daredevils, took most wickets, 25
at 18.12 followed by off-spinner
Narine, 24 at 13.50.
To me it seems disappointing
that West Indians Gayle and
Narine preferred to play IPL
cricket rather than represent their
country against England in
England. One day after the IPL
final, England beat the West
Indies by nine wickets to win the
series 2-0. Sadly these days,
money outweighs national glory.
W
hen IPL started in
2008, it was promoted
as cricket with more
sixes than maidens. Now after
five crazy years of meaningless
matches it has been embroiled in
controversies galore. Call it
more court room drama than
sport. And all that before you can
say Pomersbach!
What an insane season for
IPL in its fifth season! A secret
operation by an Indian TV chan-
nel led to the suspension of five
cricketers for accepting bribes. It
was followed by verbal fights
between Indias popular movie
star Shah Rukh Khan and offi-
cials of the Mumbai Cricket
Association (MCA). He was later
banned from entering the
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
Has it ever happened before a
celebrity being banned to enter a
Stadium?
This was climaxed by an IPL
player, Luke Pomersbach from
Western Australia, being
detained by the Delhi police on
alleged sexual charges and of
assaulting a guest at the team
hotel. Since then the charges
have been dropped.
I have always said and always
will that too much money in too
short a time is the root of all evil.
To me IPL stands for; Intensely
Profane License.
There is much about the IPL
that is worthy of criticism and
scrutiny. True, conflicts and con-
troversies are part and parcel of
cricket everywhere these days.
But so many nasty incidents in
such short a time is stretching it.
Had there been no IPL, the skir-
mish at the Wankhede Stadium in
Mumbai involving Shah Rukh
Khan and Pomersbach's alleged
fisticuff when playing for the
Royal Challengers Bangalore,
may not have happened.
I must add that Pomersbach is
no stranger to rowdy behavior
down under. In 2007 he was sus-
pended for drinking before a cru-
cial match against South
Australia. In 2009 he was
involved in two hit-and-run inci-
dents when driving over the
limit.
In Delhi, his playing career
was placed on hold after he was
detained by the Delhi police in
May and charged with assault on
a woman and her fianc. He
appeared in a Delhi court, where
he was granted interim bail.
Later, the woman withdrew the
charges as the unsavoury incident
was settled out of court.
Pomersbach was also suspended
by his IPL franchise for the rest
of this tournament.
The IPL is not the only
sports league in the world offer-
ing insane salaries and party
lifestyles. European football, the
NFL and the NBA, to name a
few, are full of stories of the kind
the IPL has produced this week,
writes Sharda Ugra in CricInfo.
These leagues are decades old
but the IPL, into its fifth year, is
just beginning to identify its con-
flict zones. It is what happens
when money, power, alcohol and
entertainment meet entitlement.
Sadly, the IPL scandals will
not disappear because a few indi-
viduals are against it. It is instant
entertainment wrapped within
business which mints money.
The players are tempted because
of easy money and the crowds
lap it up because of instant grati-
fication.
Look what it has done to
Indian cricket. They were the
lauded and applauded World Cup
champions on 2 April 2011. IPL-
4 started a week later and the
momentum was lost; some got
injured and others lost their
focus. It would be too simplistic
to blame IPL for Indias pathetic
performances in the Test series
in England in 2011 and in
Australia in 2011-12.
Of course there were other
reasons but if you dont have
fierce focus on your game, the
results are disastrous. And quick
money-spinning events like IPL
snap ones concentration, the will
to succeed and the determination
to win.
Just look at Indias talented
all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja for
instance.
The 23-year-old was auc-
tioned for two million dollars for
IPL 2012 as the one-day series
was going on in Australia in
February. Consciously he was
trying hard to focus but sub-con-
sciously, his mind appeared else-
where.
I realise that IPL provides
entertainment for the masses and
pays the players well. But it
should include only cricketers
who are on the verge of interna-
tional representation or those
who have retired from interna-
tional scene like Anil Kumble,
Sourav Ganguly, Adam
Gilchrist, Shane Warne,
Matthew Hayden, Rahul
Dravid
Active Test cricketers should
not be diverted by IPL exhibition
matches. You cannot eat the cake
and have it too.
Shah Rukh Khan exults after his team won IPL 5 championship
Jacques Kallis from South Africa and Manvinder Bisla from
Haryana struck brilliant half-centuries to help Kolkata to a
five-wicket victory.
Luke Pomersbach of Royal Challengers Bangalore, detained for molesting American national Zohal
Hamid (right) in Delhi, is no stranger to rowdy behavior down under.
The Kersi Meher-Homji column
I
s fast-medium bowler Ishant Sharma the
tallest cricketer among Indians? He is 6
feet 4 inches tall. That is 194.5 cm by
metric measure. He suffers in comparison
with other quickies around the globe as far as
height is concerned.
England may not have the deadliest
bowlers but they have among the tallest trio to
open their attack in recent years. Chris
Tremlett and Steve Finn are 200.5cms (6 ft 7
in) tall, and Stuart Broad is 195.5 cm.
Australia has recently opened their bowl-
ing with Mitchell Starc, 196 cm in height.
This throws my mind back to the days of
the Windies domination by their fast bowlers.
Joel Garner stood at 207cms (6 ft 9 in) in
his spiked shoes, as he delivered deathly chin
music; some of it going over batsmens heads.
According to my research, he is the tallest
Test cricketer.
His pace partner Curtly Ambrose was
200.5 cm.
Only few Test cricketers are above
195cms and all (except West Indies slow left-
arm orthodox spinner Suleiman Benn) are fast
or medium-fast bowlers. Apart from those
mentioned above, other towering Test players
are:
Tom Moody (Australia) 202 cm tall, Tony
Greig (England) 200.5 cm, beanpole Bruce
Reid (Australia) and David Larter (England)
199.5 cm. Englands Bob Willis and
Australias Glenn McGrath, Michael
Kasprowicz and Nathan Bracken were 198
cms tall.
The mighty hitter Bonnor played 17 Tests
for Australia in 1880s. Nicknamed Colonial
Hercules, he weighed 225 pounds and stood
198cms high. He had two taller brothers and
George was called Shorty in his home town
Bathurst in New South Wales!
And who is the tallest among first-class
cricketers? Confusion remains over the actual
height of Pakistans Mohammad Irfan. The
Pakistan Cricket Board has variously meas-
ured him at 203, 208 and 216cms. If he is
indeed 216cms (7 ft 1 in), he is the tallest
cricketer ever, surpassing his idol Joel Garner
(207cms) as also RI Jefferson (208cms) who
played for Essex.
Born in 1982, the seven-footer (give and
take a few inches) Irfan played two ODIs
against England in 2010 but did not shine out.
Surreys Anthony ATC Allom, the son of
the legendary MJC Allom, is 207cms tall.
Warwickshires Paul Dunkels is 205.7cms
while NSW quickie Phil Alley, nicknamed
Barge Arse, stands at 204.5cms. Natals
Vincent van Bijl, Western Australias Brett
Dorey and Kents John Graham are 203cms in
height. But for South Africas isolation due to
the apartheid policy, van Bijl would have
played many Tests.
At 200.5cms, Sulieman Benn is perhaps
the tallest spinner followed by another
Windies spinner Roger Harper, 195.5cms.
Mirror, mirror on the wall, whos the
tallest cricketer of them all?
Mumbai: The Indian cricket board has
refused to change its stance on the contro-
versial Decision Review System (DRS) even
as the International Cricket Council's (ICC)
chief executive committee recommended its
universal application in both Tests and
ODIs.
The Board of Control for Cricket in
India (BCCI) still believes that the DRS is
not foolproof. "We wish to clarify that while
the DRS was discussed at the meeting, the
BCCI's stance on the same is unchanged,"
said BCCI secretary Sanjay Jagdale.
"The BCCI continues to believe that the
system is not foolproof. The Board also
sticks to its view that the decision on
whether or not to use the DRS for a particu-
lar series should be left to the Boards
involved in that series," he added. The ICC
chief executive committee during its two-
day meeting in Kuala Lumpur recommended
the universal application of the controversial
Decision Review System (DRS) in both
Tests and ODIs after being satisfied with
independently conducted research.
The CEC, during its two-day meeting
over the weekend, discussed the reviews. It
was satisfied the technology enhancements
provided by new Hotspot cameras and the
results of the independent research on ball
tracking conducted by Ed Rosten, an expert
in computer vision technology.
BCCI rejects ICC's
recommendation on DRS
London: India's Leander Paes and his Czech part-
ner Radek Stepanek along with the Indian pair of
Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna crashed out
of the men's doubles of the Wimbledon here on
July 3..
In a match that stretched over two days due to
rain, the fourth seeded pair of Paes and Stepanek
fought hard before going down 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6
(7-2), 6-8 to the 15th seeded pair of Brazil's
Marcelo Melo and Ivan Dodig of Croatia in the
third round. It was an interesting battle that lasted
two hours and 49 minutes.
Paes and Stepanek started well by winning the
first set comfortably but Melo and Dodig came
back strongly to win the next two sets easily. Paes
and Stepanek refused to give in and stretched the
fourth to the tie-breaker winning it 7-2 in 58 min-
utes. The decider and the fifth set was also keenly
contested with none of the teams willing to leave
an inch but Dodig and Melo had the last laugh
winning it 8-6.
Paes and Stepanek hit just 19 winners com-
pared to 26 hit by Dodig and Melo. The Indo-
Czech duo, however, committed just four double
faults while the Croat-Brazilian duo made eight.
Meanwhile in a second round match, Bhupathi and
Bopanna, who were seventh seeded, were shocked
5-7, 6-7 (4-7), 3-6, by the unseeded pair of
Russian Mikhail Elgin and Denis Istomin of
Uzbekistan in a match that lasted just over two
hours.Bhupathi and Boppana were erratic in their
service, committing four double faults but man-
aged 13 aces. They also hit 16 winners as com-
pared to 13 by the Russian-Uzbek combine.
Paes-Stepanek, Bhupathi-Bopanna
knocked out of Wimbledon
Ishant Sharma, at 6 feet 4 and half inches, is tallest Indian cricketer ever,
but not in world.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has variously measured Mohammad Irfan at
203, 208 and 216 cm (7 ft 1 in).
Sports
Bhupathi, Bopanna refuse to pair with
Paes, so India sends 2 teams
First target to make
Olympic semis:
Hockey captain
Chinese will be tough to beat at
Olympics: Saina
India at Olympics
New Delhi: All India Tennis Association
(AITA) has selected two men's doubles
teams to represent the country at the
London Olympics.
India's highest ranked doubles player
Leander Paes will team up with young-
ster Vishnu Vardhan while Mahesh
Bhupathi will pair with his preferred
partner Rohan Bopanna, AITA con-
firmed at a press conference here.
In the case that Sania Mirza gets a
wild card and qualifies for Olympics, she
will pair with Paes in the mixed doubles
category.
Earlier, AITA had decided to field
just one team, that of Paes and Bhupathi.
However, in a letter to the AITA and the
sports ministry, both Bhupathi and
Bopanna refused to play with Paes.
Paes' letter to the AITA secretary
general Bharat Oza came on a day when
India's External Affairs Minister S.M.
Krishna, the honorary life president of
the AITA, also asked Bhupathi and
Bopanna to resolve their problems with
Paes in the country's best interests.
Krishna told the players that they
should respect India's interests and
resolve their individual differences at the
earliest. He also informed the players
that India's image should never be com-
promised for personal issues.
Paes, in his letter to Oza, reiterated
that he was ready to pair with either
Mahesh Bhupathi or Rohan Bopanna. "I
am comfortable to partner Mahesh or
Rohan for the forthcoming Olympics. If
Mahesh or Rohan refuse to play with me
for our country, then I am happy to play
with the next best player that the AITA
decides on.
"However, it would not be accept-
able, if with my ranking as the best
Indian tennis player, I give up the best
option of partner for winning a medal for
my country and am made to play the
Olympics with a player ranked 207/306
in the world while the No.13 and No.15
ranked players form another team togeth-
er based on their refusal to play with
me," Paes said in the letter.
Last week, the AITA announced that
Bhupathi would partner Paes at the
London Games. But both Bhupathi and
Bopanna, who qualify for the Olympics
as a team, have refused to pair with
Paes.
Paes, who has earned direct qualifi-
cation, being World No.7, has the right
to choose his partner while Bhupathi and
Bopanna can only play as a team at the
Olympics. Yuki Bhambhri (World
No.219) and Vishnu Vardhan (World
No.328) are in the running to partner
Paes. Bhupathi also wants to pair with
Sania Mirza for the mixed doubles event
at the Games but that can happen only if
Mirza gets a wildcard entry. They
recently won the French Open mixed
doubles title.
Paes, however, said that he and
Mirza have gained a direct entry into the
mixed doubles event.
Paes also said that allowing Bhupathi
and Bopanna to call the shots and defy
the decision of the selection committee
would set a bad example.
Kolkata: Asserting that India were
now one of the fittest teams, hock-
ey team skipper Bharat Chettri said
making the semifinals would be the
first target at the July 27-Aug 12
London Olympics.
"We have decided that we will
first focus on making it to the semi-
finals. Then we will work our-
selves out," Chettri told mediaper-
sons here.
Indians, who have an unparal-
leled record of eight gold, one sil-
ver and two bronze medals in
Olympic hockey, are in pool B
alongside title holders Germany,
Netherlands, New Zealand, Korea
and Belgium. The top two sides
would reach the semis.
Exuding confidence, Chettri
said though Germany and the
Netherlands were formidable
rivals, the Indians had it in them to
beat any team. He praised
Australian coach Michael Nobbs
and physical trainer David John.
"Under John, the teams fitness
has gone up immensely. We are
now among the fittest team. We
can give a good fight to our oppo-
nents," Chettri said.
He said while earlier the Indian
team's fitness level used to veer
around 40 percent, now it has gone
up to 90 percent.
Chettri said under Nobbs' tute-
lage, the Indians were playing a
more attacking variety of hockey.
"We are creating more chances. He
has changed the defensive style
which we had adopted earlier".He
said the Indian team, which made
the cut for the Olympics after eight
years, was also studying the video
footage of rival sides.
Hyderabad: India's top bad-
minton star Saina Nehwal
says it will be tough to beat
the Chinese at the London
Olympics despite her recent
successes against them.
Saina defeated Chinese
World No 4 Shixian Wang in
the quarter-finals and her
World No.3 compatriot Li
Xuerui to win the Indonesia
Open Super Series Premier
event.
Saina, who returned
home from Jakarta late
Monday night to a warm wel-
come from her family, friends
and well-wishers, told reporters Tuesday that it
would be a tough four to five weeks of preparation
for the London Games.
"For me, the important point is to be fit and
injury free before the Olympics," said Saina, who
believes she is mentally in good shape following her
successes in the two tournaments.
She is waiting for the return of her mentor and
chief coach Pullela Gopichand from Singapore to
plan a special programme for Olympics. "Of
course, it will be really hard and I need to work on
a few areas. I found some weak areas in my game
in these two tournaments."
The World No. 5, who defeated some of the top
Chinese players in Thailand and Indonesia, feels it
would not be easy playing them
in the Olympics.
"Chinese are, of course,
very strong opponents. They
are so many of them but it is not
impossible. I am trying to
defeat most of them but, of
course, it is not easy. I have to
work very hard for that. In
Olympics again, there will be
three to four Chinese. I have to
work extra hard for that."
Saina defeated Shixian after
a marathon quarter-final at the
Indonesia Open and her World
No.3 compatriot Li Xuerui in
the final.
"The quarter-final was the final for me because
it was a one hour 40 minutes match. We were dead
on the court. I still can't believe that I played such
a long match," she said.
Talking about the final against the reigning All
England and Asian champion, she said beating one
of the top contenders of the Olympic medal was
highly satisfying.
Asked about the Chinese players, she said they
fight for each and every point even if they are los-
ing. "It is very good to see that. It is not easy to beat
them. You have to be alert and ready for them or
other Asian players."
Saina, who won the Indonesia Open for the third
time, said he enjoyed playing in that country.
Both Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna refused to pair with
Leander Paes for London Olympics
Indian hockey team skipper
Bharat Chettri.
Badminton star Saina Nehwal
June- July 2012 THE INDIAN DOWN UNDER 59
Natraj Academy presents
Fill your senses with MUSIC!
REDGUM FUNCTION CENTER
LANE STREET, WENTWORTHVILLE,
NSW 2145.
TICKETS: $10
21
st
JULY
2012 6PM
FOR TICKETS, CALL :
MEENA: 0413 087 208
DARSHIK: 0405 711 725
www.natrajacademy.com
Natraj Academy presents DHUN
- a music concert that will touch
your soul!
Get ready to sway with old and
new bollywood melodies, pop
songs, dance numbers and many
more!
Talented singers from Sydney
supported by Sydneys premiere
bollywood band JAZBA,
DHUN will be a night to
remember!
In collaboration with JAZBA, the most
electrifying BOLLYWOOD band from Sydney!
SPONSORS:
GREEN 4 LIFE OZ
GOKUL INDIAN RESTAURANT
Poster design by Aditi :0415 593 662
(FOOD SOLD AT VENUE)
MEDIA PARTNERS:
bitEs
the catering with a Twist
c h e E K y
indian fusion...
old world taste
with a new world spin!
Phone 0410 836 768
or 0420 249 225
Email enquiries@cheekybites.com.au
Web www.cheekybites.com.au

th a wi
ld wor o
india

l ew wor a n
te ld tas r
n fusi

! in! ld sp
ion...

i bbbbbbbbi

itE itE

s Es

the cater
.ch www eb W
enquirie Email
or 0420
83 0410 Phone

th ring with a T
eekybites.com.au
es@cheekybites.com
249 225
768 36

Twist
.au
60 THE INDIAN DOWN UNDER June - July 2012 64

E Paper June-July 2012

Cargado por

Información del documento

Derechos de autor

Compartir este documento

Compartir o incrustar documentos

Opciones para compartir

¿Le pareció útil este documento?

¿Este contenido es inapropiado?

Copyright:

E Paper June-July 2012

Cargado por

Copyright:

The Indian Down Under PO Box 99 Thornleigh NSW 2120 Ph (02) 9875 2713 Mobile: 0414 155 402

I do not accept failures, said

También podría gustarte